Powerful storm leaves at least nine dead in Brazil

Torrential rains hit parts of southeast Brazil and killed at least nine people. Authorities on Saturday deployed rescue teams to deal with critical situation.

Late Friday, the situation in Petropolis was critical due to intense rains and the overflowing of the Quitandinha River. Dozens of soldiers with dogs were deployed to the scene, while schools opened to the displaced, the governor said.

The latest storm dropped 270 millimeters of rain in just 24 hours. The National Institute of Meteorology had predicted a severe storm, particularly in Rio, with rainfall of 200mm a day from Friday through Sunday more than the 141mm the area normally receives in all of March. Authorities had declared an administrative holiday on Friday as the storm approached and urged people to stay home.