No Pinoys affected in Brazil floods

MANILA, Philippines –  There are no Filipinos affected by the recent flooding and mudslides that hit towns in the state of Rio de Janeiro, the Philippine embassy in Brazil confirmed.

Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Eva Betita made the confirmation in a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) after the list of victims was made available by the Office of the Mayor of Sao Paulo, which was forwarded to the embassy by the Philippine Honorary Consulate General in Sao Paulo.

Betita also said that there are no Filipinos staying in evacuation centers.

The embassy is in touch with the leaders of the Filipino community there, estimated at 425, and has issued an advisory to the community members to immediately contact embassy officials should they be aware of any Filipino needing assistance.

Storms hit the area early Wednesday dumping heavy rains on towns near Rio de Janeiro. A few hours before dawn, mudslides sliced through the towns and hamlets and destroyed homes, roads and bridges. Electricity and telephone lines were down.

Teresopolis, Novo Friburgo and Petropolis were the worst affected towns.

The disaster was considered to be the worst to hit Brazil in years. Death toll has already risen to 506 as of latest count.