SAO PAULO (AFP) - Twelve people were killed and 10 were missing after flash flooding triggered by heavy rain in the southern Brazilian town of Itaoca, officials said on Tuesday in an updated toll.

Sao Paulo state's civil defence department earlier put the death toll at 10 and added that 332 people - or about 10 per cent of the town's population - were left homeless by overflowing waters from the Palmital River.

Itaoca, located 340km south-west of Sao Paulo, was still without power and drinking water, and 100 homes were affected, officials said.

Some 50 homes were also damaged in the nearby town of Apiai, they added.

Sao Paulo governor Geraldo Alckmin warned of an "extremely serious" situation as he toured the area on Monday.

And the misery is not over yet. Forecasters are predicting more rain in the area over the next few days.