Flooding 'worst in 50 years', as 150,000 flee in Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay

Vast areas in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil are being hit by the worst flooding in 50 years, forcing the evacuation of more than 150,000 people. Days of heavy rains brought on by El Nino have caused three major rivers to swell, and authorities have reported at least six weather-related deaths. A state of emergency is in force in Paraguay, the worst hit nation, where 130,000 people have fled their homes. In northern Argentina, some 20,000 people have left their homes. Dry weather is forecast for the Brazil-Uruguay border region in the next few days, but in Paraguay and Argentina water levels are still expected to rise.

Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay flooding displaces 150,000

More than 150,000 people in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil have been driven from their homes by some of the worst flooding in years. Heavy summer rains have caused rivers to swell across a vast area. In Paraguay, the most affected country, President Horacio Cartes declared a state of emergency, freeing up $3.5m (£2.3m) in relief funds. The Paraguay river in the capital, Asuncion, is just 30cm (12in) away from overtopping its banks. That could lead to widespread flooding in the Asuncion area. Advertisement And it could affect thousands of other people who live by the Paraguay - the country's main river - the authorities said. Image copyright AFP Image caption Some 130,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Paraguay alone Image copyright AP Image caption Tens of thousands of people in Paraguay have been sleeping in temporary shelters Nearly 200 electricity pylons have been damaged or destroyed by strong winds. Four people were killed in the country by fallen trees. In northern Argentina, some 20,000 people have been evacuated. At least two people have died in the floods, which have mostly affected the provinces of Entre Rios, Corrientes and Chaco.

Brazil's pro-austerity Finance Minister Joaquim Levy replaced

Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff has replaced her finance minister as Latin America's largest economy struggles to recover from recession. Joaquim Levy has decided to leave after disagreements with the president and the governing Worker's Party over his austerity policies. He is being replaced by a close ally of Ms Rousseff, the current Planning Minister Nelson Barbosa. Brazil is facing its worst recession in 25 years. In a statement, Mr Levy said he remained confident that the economy could recover in 2016.

WhatsApp blocked for 48 hours in Brazil

Access in Brazil to the WhatsApp phone-messaging application was cut off early after a Brazilian judge told local phone companies to block the popular service for 48 hours for failure to comply with a July court order in a criminal case. SindiTelebrasil, a Brazilian phone-company association, said it received the order to shut off WhatsApp text message and internet voice telephone service for smartphones throughout Latin America's largest country Wednesday afternoon. The association's members put the blockade into effect at midnight (0200 GMT Thursday) as required by the court. "We are disappointed in the short-sighted decision to cut off access to WhatsApp, a communication tool that so many Brazilians have come to depend on, and sad to see Brazil isolate itself from the rest of the world," said Jan Koum, chief executive of WhatsApp, in a statement posted on Facebook. Brazilian phone companies have sought and failed to get the government to limit use of free voice-over-internet (VOIP) services offered through WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook Inc. The phone companies say the free WhatsApp calls undermine their own services. However, the shutdown order stems from a criminal proceeding in the Sao Paulo State Justice Tribunal in Sao Bernardo do Campo, the court said in a statement. SindiTelebrasil said it and its members are not party to the case. According to the 24-hour Band News TV network, the case involves a drug trafficker linked to the PCC, or First Command of the Capital, one of Sao Paulo's biggest and most dangerous criminal gangs. The trafficker allegedly used WhatsApp services in the commission of crimes. Band News did not say how it got its information. According to the court, WhatsApp failed to comply with a judicial order issued July 23, the court said. Mountain View, California-based WhatsApp was notified again on August 7 when the court set a fine for non-compliance. Latest Comment watsapp blocked........bharat asija On Wednesday, after finding WhatsApp in continued non-compliance, Judge Sandra Regina Nostre Marques ordered the 48-hour shut-down under terms of the country's Internet legislation, the statement said. Most details of the case are being kept secret by the judge, as is allowed under Brazilian law. WhatsApp and Facebook did not immediately respond to questions about the judge's reasons for the ban or about the Band News report.