国际英语新闻：Death toll in Brazilian storms hits 51

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The number of deaths in the storms which have been hitting Brazil's northeastern region in the past week reached 51, local authorities said on Friday.

According to the authorities, 34 people died in the state of Alagoas, and other 17 died in neighboring state of Pernambuco. At least 56 remain missing, and over 160,000 had to leave their homes in the two states.

A total of 87 municipalities have reported damages caused by the storms. Out of those, 30 declared state of emergency and 24 declared state of calamity. According to the local authorities, the reconstruction of the damaged areas will require over one billion reais (561 million U.S. dollars).

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the damaged areas on Thursday, and announced a total of 550 million reais in resources for the reconstruction.

"I have seen many pictures and videos about the flood," said the President at the occasion, "but honestly, no photographs or videos can show the seriousness of the situation we see when we walk the streets of those towns."

Besides the financial aid, the government sent Air Force field hospitals to the region, as well as trained rescue workers to help the victims and 77 men from the National Security Force to patrol the region.

Brazil often has grave floods. In April, 162 people died due to floods and mudslides in Rio de Janeiro state.