RIO DE JANEIRO, April 24 (RIA Novosti) - Around 30,000 people were forced to flee their homes following floods in northeast Brazil's Maranhao state, Brazil's Civil Defense service said on Friday.
The Brazilian state has been battered by heavy rain over the past two weeks. Officials said at least 500 houses have been destroyed.
The authorities have been trying to evacuate homes in the region, which has been hampered by people refusing to leave.
A state of emergency has been introduced in 12 towns across the state. Around 18,000 who live in the area could be affected by the floods.
Authorities said they have no reports of casualties. Meanwhile, local media said three people had died in the floods.
More than 100 people died and over 78,000 were left homeless during flooding in southern Brazil in December.
