Carnival festivities cancelled in Brazil cities due to deadly floods

Torrential rains hit coastal areas of Brazil's southeast, triggering floods and landslides which killed dozens and left hundreds more homeless.

The rains struck the north of Sao Paulo state on February 19. Two of the hardest hit cities, Sao Sebastiao and Bertioga, cancelled their pre-lenten Carnival festivities, DW informs.

Tarcisio de Freitas, the state governor of Sao Paulo, declared a state of emergency in five towns along the coast.

At least 36 people have died as a result of the floods so far, Sao Paulo state authorities said in a statement.

The floods left over 200 people homeless, with 338 more evacuated in the coastal region north of the city of Sao Paulo, according to the state government.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he planned to visit the flood-struck areas in Sao Paulo on February 20, describing the events as a "tragedy."