South Brazil’s Santa Catarina state remains on alert for heavy storms that have triggered flooding, landslides, and evacuations in 22 cities. According to the country’s civil defence authority, Joinville, the largest city in the state, has been experiencing flooding since Thursday, with the weather service forecasting rain to persist until Tuesday morning.

In May and June this year, storms caused flooding in the neighbouring state of Rio Grande do Sul, resulting in 183 deaths and affecting over 90 percent of the region.