At least 11 dead after heavy rains in northeast Brazil

At least 11 people died and six were still missing after torrential rains lashed in Brazil's northeastern Bahia state, a Civil Defense official said Monday. Some 70 homes were completely destroyed and 200 others damaged in the town of Lajedinho during a violent weekend storm, the spokesman told Agence France Presse. He added that rescue efforts were still under way Monday. The town hall and many stores were also damaged in Lajedinho, a town of 4,000 people some 355 kilometers (221 miles) from Salvador, Bahia's capital, the G1 news website said. Residents were quoted as saying streets were under two meters (yards) of water.