At least 28 dead in storms in southern Brazil Russian partner Armenia plans military maneuvers with the United States

The death toll from severe storms in southern Brazil has risen to at least 28. The local government announced on Wednesday that 27 people have died in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Another person died in the neighboring state of Santa Catarina.

A cyclone hit southern Brazil earlier this week, killing at least 22 people and displacing 3,000 others. The storm, which forecasters call an extratropical cyclone, also spawned a tornado and winds of more than 62 miles per hour (about 100 km/h) in Santa Catarina, the state’s civil defense said Tuesday.

“It was not an easy year for Rio Grande do Sul. But our people are resilient and strong and we stand together,” said Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite. “The dead cannot be brought back, we all grieve. We will provide all the support to the families.”

The area has been hit by heavy rain and strong winds since Monday. Rivers overflowed their banks. Entire areas were flooded. Thousands of people had to leave their homes and go to safety, the news portal G1 reports. 66 cities were affected by the storms.

In the small town of Muçum on the Taquari River, residents had to be rescued from rooftops due to flooding, the portal further reported. Schools, shops and hospitals were also flooded. For safety reasons, the power supply has been cut off. Storms in the region killed 16 people in June. (lacquer/sda/dpa)