BRASïLIA (AFP) - At least 11 people died and six were still missing after torrential rains lashed in Brazil's north-eastern Bahia state, a Civil Defence official said Monday.

Some 70 homes were completely destroyed and 200 others damaged in the town of Lajedinho during a violent weekend storm, the spokesman said.

He added that rescue efforts were still under way on Monday.

The town hall and many stores were also damaged in Lajedinho, a town of 4,000 people some 355km from Salvador, Bahia's capital, the G1 news website said.

Residents were quoted as saying streets were under two meters of water.