6 people die in record heavy rains in Brazil
Heavy rains in the past two days killed six people in the southwestern Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, where the Pinheiros and Tiete rivers spilled over, local authorities reported late Wednesday.

The state was hit by a precipitation of 72.4 millimeters from Tuesday to Wednesday morning, the highest in the past six years.

In less than 24 hours, the downpour surpassed rainfalls of the entire month of May last year. There has been no report of such rains in May since 1968, according to official figures.

One person was drowned and five others were killed in the collapse of rural houses, or by fallen trees and road signs.

Up to 56 flooded spots have been found in the city of Sao Paulo, with 60 accidents reported including the crumbling of makeshift houses and mudslides.