Heartbreak for survivors of mudslides in Brazil

"Leao" visits the grave of her owner for the second consecutive day. Cristina Maria Cesario Santana died in Brazil's catastrophic landslides.

The Associated Press:

Teresopolis, Brazil — Efforts to fly rescue helicopters to hundreds of people stranded by massive mudslides were slowed by renewed rains in a region north of Rio de Janeiro, as the death toll rose to 633 in a disaster that has left thousands more homeless.

With rainy skies and low visibility in an area full of craggy, steep peaks, officials focused their attention on the survivors they could reach more immediately, mapping out a plan to get people living in tents in the short term, and into safe, affordable housing in the coming months.

Mayor Jorge Mario Sedlacek of Teresopolis, one of the hardest-hit cities, said Sunday that more than 2,000 tents were being brought in, each capable of sheltering up to 10 people. Teresopolis has more than 3,000 people who were made homeless by the slides.

“They will give families shelter for up to six months while more permanent solutions can be developed,” Sedlacek said. “These tents will at least re-establish the family units, which will bring some comfort to people living in communal shelters.”

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