Petropolis: Brazil Flood Kills More Than 150 People; Survivors Digging Missing Loved Ones

The Brazilian city of Petropolis has seen more heavy rain that led to floods and landslides, killing at least 152 people, with victims including at least 27 children and teenagers.

Meanwhile, officials noted that 154 are still missing and about 900 people are being housed in schools and shelters, according to a BBC News report.

Authorities said that recurring downpours have blocked the work of emergency teams. Officials also noted that it is unlikely anyone will be found alive.

Workers are doing the work with spades and shovels through the rubble and muck. People involved in the emergency operation were also using hand tools and chainsaws in unstable areas. Teams have also deployed 41 sniffer dogs.

Roberto Amaral, the coordinator of the local fire department's special rescue group, said that bringing heavy machinery into the area is impossible. He added that they have to go little by little, saying that they have to "work like ants."

Over 80 houses on a hillside were hit by landslides, and more than 300 vehicles had been swept away by the floods.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro flew over the area, describing the situation as "like scenes of war." He added that the city was experiencing "enormous destruction."

Survivors Looking for Missing Loved Ones

The first series of funerals occurred on Thursday for the victims who had been formally identified.

Giselli Carvalho recalled her daughter, Helena. She said that she enjoyed "my baby's company" for little more than one year.

Carvalho also lost her mother and niece in the Brazil flood.

Helena just started nursery a few days before the landslide destroyed her family home, according to another BBC News report.

Resident Nilson de Oliveira Vargas Jr. and his brother had been looking for any updates regarding their sister's whereabouts for two days.

He said that Marilene, his sister, was in the kitchen with his niece. He added that Marilene pushed her daughter out of the door and told her to run, with his sister being left behind.

Survivors were digging to find their missing loved ones. Rio de Janeiro's public prosecutor's office reported that it had compiled a list of missing 35 people, as of February 17 reporting, according to The Guardian.

The state fire department said 25.8 centimeters of rain had fallen in three hours last week, with almost as much as the previous 30 days' total.

Weather forecasters said at the time that more rain can be expected in the coming week.

Rio de Janeiro's governor, Cláudio Castro, said in a press conference that the rains were the worst in Petropolis since 1932. Castro said that no one could predict rain "as hard as this."

Meanwhile, text messages were sent to warn residents to take refuge at relatives' homes or in public shelters due to the volume of rain that was affecting the city, according to France 24 News report.

The local Civil Defense said that the rain will continue with an intensity between moderate to strong in the next few hours.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Brazil landslide: Rescue crews called in as buildings in Petropolis are wiped out - from Daily Mail