Read the text “Brazil flood and landslide death toll rises, Rio de Janeiro still impassable” and answer: what do the three words in bold refer to? Rescuers have searched for flood and landslide survivors in southeastern Brazil after the heaviest downpours in almost half a century left at least 113 people dead. The state of Rio de Janeiro was in mourning as the extent of the disaster became clear and a third day of rains compounded the misery for 5000 municipal employees trying to clear streets turned to mud. Emergency officials said most fatalities were in hillside slums around the city of Rio de Janeiro, where torrents of water triggered devastating mudslides and scenes of chaos since Monday. Dozens were killed in Rio itself but hardest hit was Niteroi, a city on the other side of the bay from the state capital where at least 54 people lost (1) their lives. The flooding was so intense that authorities urged Rio residents to remain indoors and not venture downtown, where streets were impassable. Some motorists abandoned (2) their partially submerged cars, while others were stranded for hours inside stalled vehicles. "All the major streets of the city are closed because of the floods," said Paes. "Each and every person who attempts to enter (3) them will be at enormous risk.” April 08, 2010 8:09AM

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/brazil-flood-and-landslide-deathtoll-rises-rio-de-janeiro-still-impassable/story-e6frf7lf-1225851195900