A Loyal Dog

The loyal dog who refuses to leave his owner's muddy graveside as Brazil mudslides death toll tops 630

* Renewed rainfall hampers rescue efforts

* Government has opened centre to register missing persons

* 2,000 tents to be brought in to Teresópolis to rehouse victims

After the deluge of photographs showing devastated landcapes, this scene is one which perhaps sums up the loss floods have brought to Brazil.

As the mudslides death toll hits 630, a loyal dog refuses to leave the muddy graveside of its owner.

Leao cuts a pitiful figure beside the grave of Cristina Maria Cesario Santana, who died in Teresópolis, one of the areas hardest hit by last week's natural disaster.

Renewed rainfall was slowing rescue helicopters today in south-east Brazil as officials focused their attention on the survivors they could reach more immediately, mapping out a plan to get people living in tents in the short term.

 Vigil: Leao sits for a second consecutive day next to the grave of his owner Cristina Maria Cesario Santana

Grim toll: Workers at the cemetery in Teresopolis, near Rio, have dug dozens of graves for landslide victims