Torrential rain causes flooding in Brazil

Sao Paulo - An hour-long downpour caused heavy flooding and huge traffic jams in Brazil's biggest city on Wednesday.

Rescue workers from Sao Paulo's fire department said a man was electrocuted when an overhead power line was dislodged by a tree and fell during the thunderstorm.

The torrential rain turned streets and avenues into rivers and videos posted on news websites showed cars being swept away or submerged.

Authorities declared a state of alert in the worst hit parts of the city.

The heavy rains and flooding came amid the worst drought to hit Sao Paulo in more than 80 years, but they won't necessarily help replenish the city's depleted system reservoirs, as the main one lies about 60km north of Sao Paulo.

Meanwhile, the Amazon jungle state of Acre also faced heavy flooding. Some people were forced to use public shelters in the state capital Rio Branco.