We brought in more men and machines, but there are many families buried

Anthony Garotinho, state governor

Torrential rain hit the area again on Wednesday hampering rescue efforts, and more rain is forecast for the rest of the week.

The worst-hit area is Petropolis, a mountain town outside Rio de Janeiro that has been virtually cut off by the disaster.

The deluge, which began on Sunday night, triggered mudslides that swept away scores of flimsy shacks built on steep slopes.

Soldiers and volunteers have been helping with the recovery operation

Rescuers struggled for hours to find people buried beneath tonnes of mud and rubble.

The state governor, Anthony Garotinho, has promised help for the victims - but also criticised local officials for allowing people to build homes in high-risk areas.

At least 167 people were killed in 1988 when mudslides swept through the Petropolis.

Christmas tragedy

In low-lying Rio suburbs, many rivers burst their banks and flooded hundreds of homes.

Roads were also blocked by fallen trees.

Hundreds of volunteers, including soldiers and firefighters, are helping to clear streets.

The occasional sodden toy is a sad reminder that this tragedy happened at Christmas and many families will be spending the holidays in temporary shelters.

The number of victims is set to rise and more bad weather is expected

The amount of rain that fell in 20 hours was the same as normally falls in a month in Rio.

Mr Garotinho, who flew over the affected areas, said the state government was co-ordinating emergency relief.

He said many of the shanty town dwellers knew the risks they faced.

"In about 80% of these cases, people were living where they should not have been - but these are people who have been there for a long while, who didn't want to leave," he said.

Rio resident Nadir Firmino, 57, told Reuters news agency she had stayed in the dangerous area because she had no choice.

"We were warned. But where we would go? We have not left because we cannot," she said.

Firmino's daughter, 33, and three grandchildren were swept away in the mudslide.

"I was sleeping when I heard them screaming," she said. "But I could do nothing, for I am blind."