Devastating floods in South America

A stranded dog is seen on flood-affected home in Asuncion, Paraguay (Reuters)
A stranded dog is seen on flood-affected home in Asuncion, Paraguay (Reuters)

More than 170,000 people have been evacuated across South America and at least 10 people have died due to devastating floods.

The toll includes four people in Brazil, two in Argentina and four in Paraguay, which is the worst-affected country.

A state of emergency has been declared in eight regions of Paraguay, with river levels in the capital of Asuncion reaching their highest peak since 1992.

Though more than 140,000 people have evacuated across the nation, many Paraguayans were reluctant to leave their homes due to fears of looting.

Around 20,000 people were forced to evacuate in northeastern Argentina, and two people were killed when the flooding caused the Uruguay River to rise, authorities said.

Uruguay has been forced to evacuate more than 11,000 people.

Scientists attribute the torrential rains to an unusually strong El Niño pattern wreaking havoc worldwide, which forecasters have warned could be one of the strongest in recorded history.

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