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In Brasil's worst natural disaster since 1900 with at least 806 dead and more than 300 still missing in Rio state, it's revealed that at least twice, former President Lula da Silva's administration rejected requests for an early warning storm project.
Critics say the project could have saved many lives. "This is an example of a government realizing too late that it hasn't done what it could have," said former presidential candidate Marina Silva.
Just last year, Brasil spent more than 2 billion reais ($1.2 billion usd) on relief and reconstruction from floods and other emergencies.
The proposed early warning system would have cost 115 million reais but was rejected. Later the proposal was cut to 36 million reais but that figure was also rejected.
