An aerial view of a neighborhood in Santa Catarina shows the flooding that has ravaged the
| DHARAMSHALA: As Brazil is suffering the worst-ever natural disaster which killed at least 500 people till Friday, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has conveyed his prayers and condolences to those affected by it. |
In a letter sent to President Dilma Vana Rousseff dated 14 January, “His Holiness the Dalai Lama offered his prayers and condolences to those who lost their lives and the families and others affected by the recent devastating flooding in Brazil.”
His Holiness said “he is deeply saddened by the loss of so many lives and property as a result of what is considered the worst natural disaster in Brazil’s history that has ravaged the south-eastern parts of the country”.
President Dilma Rousseff visited the affected areas and described the catastrophe as “overwhelming and shocking.”
Thousands of people have been rendered homeless as ravaging flood waters inundated thousands of residential homes.
Rescuers are using helicopters to search for survivors in the worst hit areas of Teresopolis, Nueva Friburgo and Petropolis.
Heavy rainfall continues to hamper rescue operations and the fear of increase in death toll keeps on mounting.