Four die in Brazil storms

2004-03-09 09:03

Rio de Janeiro - Heavy storms in northeastern Brazil have taken at least four lives and forced 60nbsp;000 people out of their homes, civil defence authorities said on Monday.

Officials in Fortaleza in the state of Ceara said that a six-year-old boy was still missing after being swept away on Sunday from the doorstep of his family's house by floodwaters.

Several rivers in the normally arid region have broken their banks. Sandbagging and other flood-fighting activities were continuing on Monday in Fortaleza and other cities.

Meteorologists warned that the weekend's heavy rains could resume later this week.

- SAPA