At least 44 people have died from floods and landslides in the state of São Paulo, according to a new report released today by the government Brazil.

Heavy rains over the weekend caused widespread flooding and landslides in coastal areas of the southeastern part of the country. About 2,500 people were forced to leave their homes, many of them homeless, the government said in a statement.

According to the latest count, the city of San Sebastian has the most victims (43 people).

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva flew a helicopter over San Sebastian on Monday, accompanied by his ministers, to assess the extent of the disaster. Lula promised to rebuild the city of about 91,000 people, noting that new homes would be built in safe areas.

Flooding and landslides in the state of São Paulo are the latest in a string of natural disasters that have recently hit Brazil, where haphazard construction and poor quality work often lead to tragic consequences during the rainy season.

The heavy rains come at a time when Brazil’s beaches are flooded with tourists looking to get up close and personal with carnival events.

^{Source: APE-MEB, Reuters}