At least 11 dead after heavy rains in northeast Brazil

BRASILIA: At least 11 people died and six were still missing after torrential rains lashed in Brazil´s northeastern Bahia state, a Civil Defense official said Monday.

Some 70 homes were completely destroyed and 200 others damaged in the town of Lajedinho during a violent weekend storm, the spokesman told AFP.

He added that rescue efforts were still under way Monday. The town hall and many stores were also damaged in Lajedinho, a town of 4,000 people some 355 kilometers (221 miles) from Salvador, Bahia´s capital, the G1 news website said.

Residents were quoted as saying streets were under two meters (yards) of water.