The heavy rains also killed 13 people in Sao Paulo state on January 11, bringing the total death toll in Brazil's south to at least 270.

Hillsides and river banks in the picturesque Serrana region north of Rio buckled under the equivalent of a month's rainfall in 24 hours, destroying houses and killing many people, rescue officials said.

Television images showed many houses buried in mud as desperate residents and rescue workers searched for survivors.

At least 130 people were killed in Teresopolis, about 62 miles north of Rio, 20 other were killed in the city of Petropolis, and 107 in the town of Nova Friburgo, state officials said.

The number of victims was expected to rise as rescuers find more bodies and reach more remote areas.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff signed a decree releasing 780 million reais (US$460 million) in reconstruction funds for the affected areas. She will fly over the region on January 13.