Authorities in southern Brazil are rushing to rescue survivors of massive flooding that has killed at least 100 people, but some residents are refusing to leave belongings behind while others are returning to evacuated homes despite the risk of new storms.

Historic flooding has left the wealthy Brazilian city of Porto Alegre underwater, with more than 80 people dead and many awaiting rescue.

Southern Brazil is facing the worst climate disaster in its history. Unprecedented floods have engulfed major Rio Grande do Sul cities, including the capital, Porto Alegre, where 135,000 people have been pushed from their homes,

Heavy rainfall brought the highest water levels recorded in more than 80 years to the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Efforts were continuing to rescue people stranded by the floods in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, that has left at least 90 people dead and more than 130 others missing.

In southern Brazil, severe flooding has caused extensive damage, leaving 90 people dead and more than 130 missing. A mayor on Tuesday asked residents to ration water.

Over two-thirds of Rio Grande do Sul's 497 municipalities have been affected, leaving more than 150,000 people displaced, local authorities said. More than 130 people are still missing. The mayor of Eldorado do Sul,