At least two people were killed and 31 injured as torrential rains lashed the Brazilian southeastern state of Minas Gerais where a state of emergency was declared in 31 municipalities, authorities said Tuesday.

The state civil defense said on its website that nearly two million people were affected by the downpours, including 7,759 who had to evacuate their homes.

Some 2,000 homes were damaged and 73 completely destroyed, it added.

Civil defense officials said a 43-year-old man died when he was hit by a falling tree in the town of Reducto.

And a 27-year-old woman perished when she was swept away by the current in a river near her house in Gobernador Valadares.

A state of emergency was declared in 31 towns, including Belo Horizonte, the state capital, where power cuts and uprooted trees were reported in several neighborhoods.

Authorities forecast more rains for the rest of the week.