The landslide killed at least 10 people

At least 10 people have died in landslides that swept through two cities in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, state officials said.

Bethania district in Ipatinga city was the worst affected by the landslides caused by the torrential rain.

The mayor’s office said 204 mm (8 inches) of rain had fallen in Ipatinga on Sunday morning.

Landslides following torrential rains are not uncommon during the rainy season, with neighborhoods built on steep hillsides the worst hit.

The mayor of Ipatinga, Gustavo Núñez, declared a state of emergency.

At least 150 people were left homeless in the city, which is about 570 km north of Rio de Janeiro.

The mayor said the city was surprised by the heavy rains. “People didn’t have time to prepare,” Nunes said.

At least nine people were confirmed dead in Ipatinga, with another body found half an hour’s drive north in Santana do Paraíso.

Local media reports that two young people managed to escape alive from the house where five of their relatives died and were buried under mud.

The city’s medical center was also affected by the landslides, Health Minister Ipatinga said.

“At this time, the medical center is unable to serve people, and all patients who were here awaiting transfer have been moved,” Valison Medeiros said.

He thanked neighboring towns for offering help.

Minas Gerais state governor Romeu Zema said he would visit the affected area later on Monday.