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Sao Paulo, Dec 25 (Prensa Latina) The Civil Defense of the Brazilian state of Espiritu Santo on Wednesday confirmed the deaths of 14 people and the evacuation of 49,000, due to floods and landslides for more than a week on that territory.

Of the total of citizens who left their homes, 44,500 took refuge in the houses of relatives and friends, while the rest are in shelters, said a spokesperson for that governmental organization.

The damage caused by the rain is considered the worst since 1979, when rainfalls caused the overflowing of the Doce River, which goes through the states of Minas Gerais and Espiritu Santos, taking a toll of 74 lives, affecting more than 48,000 people and damaging 4,424 houses.

According to the Institute for Research, Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (INCAPER), rainfalls on that territory caused the Doce River to burst its banks, flooding large areas and bringing destruction and victims.