At least 39 killed in rains in southern Brazil

Heavy rains in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul this week killed at least 55 people.

In a report, news agency reuters confirmed the matter on Sunday (May 5).

Rio Grande do Sul's civil defense authority said 74 people were still missing and more than 69,000 had been displaced as storms in the last few days have affected nearly two thirds of the 497 cities in the state, which borders Uruguay and Argentina.

Roads and numerous bridges collapsed in various parts of the state due to floods. A hydroelectric plant has been damaged due to heavy floods. A dam in the city of Bento Goncalves has partially collapsed.

In Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, the Guaiba lake broke its banks, flooding streets.

Porto Alegre's international airport has suspended all flights for an indefinite period.

State Governor Eduardo Leite told reporters on Saturday evening that Rio Grande do Sul would need a "Marshall Plan" to recover from the storms and its consequences, referring to a plan for Europe's economic recovery after World War Two.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who had visited Rio Grande do Sul on Thursday, will travel back to the state on Sunday to follow the rescue efforts._Agencies.