Floods in Brazil after two dams collapse

More than 30 districts in the Brazilian state of Bahia were hit by floods on Sunday after weeks of torrential rain, according to state governor Rui Costa.

The administrations of the municipalities that were hardest hit in eastern Brazil said the flooding occurred after two dams collapsed over the weekend.

The governor of Bahia said on Twitter that rescuers were rescuing citizens by helicopter and boat, and stressed that the priority now was to save lives.

Officials have taken to social media to urge residents near the dams to take shelter from the floodwaters.

The state of Bahia was hit by storms for several weeks, causing floods and landslides.

According to a Brazilian media report, 18 people died as a result of the bad weather.

The G1 news website reported that at least 3,800 people have been left homeless since last November.

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