Brazil’s largest city hit again by major flooding, media reports of 6 dead

Sao Paulo swamped by floods, reports of 6 dead

BRASILIA, Brazil — Brazil’s largest city of Sao Paulo has been hit by severe floods for the second time in less than a week. Local media report that six people have died in mudslides caused by heavy rain.

The floods paralyzed much of the city and stranded motorists on two major highways swamped with water after rivers overflowed. Many people couldn’t make it to work because of the high water.

The G1 Web site of Brazil’s Globo TV reported Tuesday that six people died when their ramshackle homes were swept away by mudslides — including four children.

A spokeswoman for Sao Paulo’s civil defense department declined to confirm the deaths, saying information was still being gathered from hard-hit areas. She spoke on condition of anonymity because of policy.