At least 18 people in Brazil's state of Rio de Janeiro have died in flooding and landslides following severe rainfall.

Three rivers in the north of the state burst their banks and nearly 200 people were forced to flee their homes. The government is urging people in risk areas to leave their homes.

Most of the fatalities occurred as a result of landslides. Five members of a single family all died in one incident.

photo: flooding in Brazil (ANP/EPA)