PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL<br/> <br />Heavy rains in Brazil triggered devastating mudslides on Monday (March 18) killing at least 16 people.<br/> <br />The mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro state was hit by 24 hours of continuous rainfall, leaving homes damaged.<br/> <br />More than 500 people were forced to flee and authorities declared a state of emergency here in Petropolis.<br/> <br />Rescue teams have been struggling to reach critical areas which are cut off by blocked roads.<br/> <br />Among the dead are two members of the civil defence force.<br/> <br />More than a month's worth of rain fell in just 24 hours, experts say.<br/> <br />In January 2011, some 900 people lost their lives when heavy rains swept through the region.
