Brazil's president Luis Lula da Silva asked God to halt the devastating rains that have killed at least 114 people in a southern state and offered new plans yesterday to help tens of thousands of people rebuild ruined homes and businesses.

Continuing rains have hindered rescuers' attempts to find bodies of more victims claimed by the mudslides and floods in Santa Catarina state while making it tough for survivors to return home, Silva said on his weekly radio show.

"We're only asking God to stop the rains soon so that we can start to rebuild the state of Santa Catarina," he said.

Nineteen people are still missing, and some officials have estimated the death count could rise to as much as 150.

Families forced from home

About 80,000 people were forced from their homes by storms that dumped more water on the region during the weekend of November 22-23 than it normally gets in months. Another 8,000 people were displaced in neighbouring Rio de Janeiro state.