In Brazil, devastating mudslides and floods have swept the mountainous area, Serrana near Rio de Janeiro killing nearly 270 people so far. With death toll likely to rise, the Brazilian officials have said that entire neighbourhoods in the municipalities of Nova Friburgo, Teresopolis and Petropolis were swept away by rivers of mud and tumbling rocks. The mayor of the worst-hit town of Teresopolis, Jorge Mario Sedlacek termed it as a huge catastrophe and a major disaster. The full extent of the devastation remains unknown as communication and access to the stricken zone was made difficult after roads and bridges were completely destroyed.Meteorologists have blamed the extraordinary precipitation on a cold front that intensified the already heavy wet season in South-east Brazil experiences every summer. More rain is expected in the coming days.