Deadly Floods Kill Hundreds Around World (Photos)

Top line

Hundreds of people died over the weekend after a series of deadly floods in Brazil, Afghanistan and Indonesia – the latest disasters following severe storms and floods killed hundreds of people in Brazil, Kenya and Tanzania and devastated Dubai and Oman in the last two weeks.

The death toll continues to rise following a series of devastating floods in southern Brazil … (+) in the city of Porto Alegre.

Important facts

At least 315 people were killed and over 1,600 injured after a series of deadly flash floods hit Afghanistan’s northern Baghlan province, Reuters reported, citing the country’s Taliban-controlled refugee agency.

At least 51 of the victims were children, UNICEF confirmed on Sunday, after heavy rains destroyed an estimated 3,000 homes in Baghlan province and 300 in neighboring Takhar and Badakhshan provinces.

In Indonesia, torrential rains, a cold lava flow from the erupting Mount Merapi volcano and devastating mudslides caused a river to burst its banks and flood villages on the island of Sumatra on Saturday and Sunday.

Thirty-seven people were killed and more than a dozen reported missing, the Associated Press reported, citing Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency.

In South America, deadly floods continued to devastate the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, where the death toll rose to 143 on Sunday, the Brazilian state’s government said.

Brazil’s floods, which began April 29, have displaced more than 500,000 people in 446 communities in the southern state, with 81,285 residents living in shelters.

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A village in Sumatra is partially destroyed by a landslide.

Anadolu via Getty Images

Residents of Lima barely search the rubble of the destroyed village in Indonesia.

Anadolu via Getty Images

Rescue workers search the flooded streets of Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Getty Images

Cars are abandoned on flooded streets in Sao Leopoldo, Brazil.

Children walk near destroyed houses in Baghlan province, Afghanistan.

Floodwaters are rising in a village in Baghlan province.

Important background

One of the most devastating floods began on April 29 after a storm system brought heavy rains across South America, including southern Brazil and the country’s border with Uruguay. Hundreds of cities were flooded, including Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul. Two weeks later, the death toll continues to rise as the country struggles to distribute aid and repair flooded neighborhoods. On May 2, the 14 de Julho dam on the Taquari River collapsed, further aggravating the flooding situation in the region and leaving thousands of people without power.

The Beira Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre is partially flooded after a storm.

The residents of Porto Alegre use boats to travel through the city streets.