Over 1,000 people are unaccounted for in the aftermath of the floods that hit Brazil's northeastern region during the past few days, officials said on Monday.

This photo released by the Brazilian state of Alagoas government, shows an aerial view of a flooded area of Jacuipe, in northeastern Alagoas state, Brazil, Monday, June 21, 2010. Officials said floods and mudslides have now killed at least 31 people in northeastern Brazil. [Xinhua]

The disaster has already claimed at least 32 lives in the states of Pernambuco and Alagoas, and that number will continue to rise based on the number of the missing persons, according to local Civil Defense services.

The situation took a turn for the worse after a dam in the Pernambuco state broke down, causing the Mumbau River to overflow and flood several towns.

Residents walk in a flooded street in Jacuipe, in northeastern Alagoas state, Brazil, Monday, June 21, 2010. [Xinhua]