At least 8 dead after heavy rains in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro

heavy rains

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 2 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people were killed and another 13 went missing in heavy rains that hit the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, local authorities said on Saturday.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Twitter that the federal government was deploying military aircraft to help with the rescue efforts in the state.

Local authorities said on Friday that the region had received 655 milliliters of rain, the highest amount ever recorded in the municipality.

According to estimates by Brazilian media, more rain is likely in the Rio de Janeiro area in the coming days.