Weary from days of steady rain, and bracing for severe thunderstorms predicted for Sunday, survivors of mudslides that have killed more than 610 in Brazil carried food, water and blankets to friends, neighbors and relatives still stranded in remote, stricken villages. A slow stream of wet, muddy men and women, some in their bare feet, tied supermarket bags together and slung them over shoulders to carry basic provisions to those too frail to make the treacherous hike down to the city Saturday. As many as 11 helicopters sent to airlift those in need had difficulty flying through the low clouds and steady rain, the Associated Press reported. The incessant rain makes everything dangerously slick. Stronger thunderstorms are expected Sunday. About 30 national defense, fire department and civil defense personnel were working Saturday on the hillside where the neighborhood of Campo Grande once stood. Local and state fire departments said they had deployed 2,500 rescuers, while 225 federal policeman were in the area to maintain order. President Dilma Rousseff designated $60 million in aid for the state of Rio de Janeiro and the hardest-hit towns.
