Torrential rains have caused severe flooding in southern Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state, leaving at least 10 people dead and 21 missing.

The floods have displaced over 3,300 people across more than 100 municipalities, forcing many to seek shelter.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared the situation a disaster and announced a visit to the region on Thursday. Governor Eduardo Leite described the event as "the worst disaster in the history of our state" and pleaded for assistance from personnel "trained for situations of chaos and war."

Persistent rainfall has wreaked havoc, destroying bridges, blocking roads, and isolating entire communities. Residents have been urged to evacuate areas prone to mudslides and those near rivers or hillsides.

Rescue efforts have been hampered by bad weather, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. The initial death toll of five has risen steadily since Tuesday as search operations continue.

The floods have caused widespread damage, estimated at $20 million by state officials. At least 11 people have been injured, and nearly 20,000 are otherwise affected. Tens of thousands lack access to clean drinking water, and phone and internet services are down in at least 60 municipalities.

The situation is particularly dire in the small city of Encantado, where residents are forced to travel by foot or motorcycle over damaged roads to reach safety. The town of Sinimbu is described as a "nightmare" by its mayor, with streets transformed into rivers and essential services completely disrupted.

These floods come after a period of extreme weather events in South America, which scientists attribute to climate change. The current disaster follows a cold front sweeping through the southern and southeastern regions, preceded by a heatwave. (ILKHA)