Drinking water, food and medical treatment are the emergency needs in the eastern states of Alagoas and Pernambuco, for days hit by torrential rains that are causing flooding, mudslides and victims. Based on an official toll issued last night, at least 51 people have died, 200,000 have suffered injuries and 80,000 have been left homeless since Sunday. In face of the emergency, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the affected areas. Lula spoke of a "catastrophe" in Uni=E3o dos Palmares, in the state of Alagoas, where the Mundau River flooded causing wide destruction. The government allocated 289-million Euro in emergency aid for Alagoas and Pernambuco, among the poorest of Brazil. Masks are being distributed in many areas to avoid the spread of water-borne diseases.