Sao Paulo, Jul 24 (AP) Heavy rains have unleashed landslide and flooding in the northeastern Brazilian state of Pernambuco and authorities say at least nine people have died.

The local fire department also said Wednesday that six people are missing due to downpours in the cities of Recife, Olinda and Abreu e Lima.

Authorities say four of the deaths were due to a landslide.

The flooding has forced some schools to close.

City officials in the state capital of Recife say about 9.5 inches (241 millimeters) of rain have fallen since the start of Saturday. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)