Flooding following torrential rains has claimed at least 77 lives in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro and has left parts of the coastal city of the same name under water.

The mayor of the city of Rio de Janeiro, where eight of the flood victims died, has urged residents to remain indoors and not to venture into the downtown area, where streets are impassable because of the water. All the city's main streets and schools have been closed.

Floodwaters have triggered landslides in many areas of the hilly metro area, home to some 16 million people.

Last year extreme weather in the state claimed over 20 lives.