Death Toll From Brazil Floods, Mudslides Hit 112

December 1, 2008 8:36 p.m. EST

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (AHN) - A total of 112 people have died from the massive floods and mudslides that struck southern Brazil while 19 people remain missing and 79,000 residents displaced, according to the national broadcaster Agencia Brasil.

Many of the fatalities were buried by landslides with Ilhota City in the hardest-hit Santa Catarina state registering the most deaths at 37.

Officials have distributed 880 tons of food, nearly one million liters of water and 60 tons of clothing, toys and cleaning and personal hygiene material, Agencia Brasil said Monday, according to CNN.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has ordered the release of $854 million in aid to the affected areas, especially Santa Catarina.