Several localities in the state of Bahia are flooded due to heavy rains affecting the region

Brasilia, December 27 (RHC)-- More than 11,0000 displaced and about 4,200 people in need of shelter is the balance of Saturday's floods caused by heavy rains affecting the Brazilian state of Bahia.

According to the Superintendency of Protection and Civil Defense of Bahia (Sudec), in the last 24 hours a total of 11,260 people were evacuated in the cities of Guaratinga, Itorororó and Coaraci, while 4,185 needed shelter from the authorities.

A total of 66 municipalities were in an emergency situation due to the storms in the last hours, according to Sudec.  Sudec indicated that at least 17 people have died as a result of the rains since November to date.

Faced with the flooding situation in the state of Bahia, the Federal Government and local authorities in collaboration with other states in the country, mounted an operation to mobilize personnel and equipment to provide relief to the inhabitants in the flooded areas.

"We are fully mobilized, taking all measures, to ensure the necessary support to the victims of the heavy rains that hit Bahia this Christmas," Bahia governor Rui Costa said over the weekend.

Bahia state authorities said the floods have caused the closure of 17 roads and triggered some area landslides.