Death Toll From Rain, Flooding In Southern Brazil Rises To 13

Parts of the town of Sinimbu was submerged in water, its streets transformed into rivers (Credit: AFP)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the country's south Thursday, where the death toll from floods caused by torrential rains has risen to 13.

As rescuers continued the search for some 21 people reported missing among the ruins of collapsed homes, bridges and roads, authorities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul have reported a state of emergency.