Rio De Janeiro ( CNN ) -- As floodwaters receded in some parts of the state of Rio de Janeiro , the devastation from flooding in Brazil continued to climb Wednesday , and the death toll nationwide reached at least 765 . Much of the damage occurred in that state , where heavy rains have liquefied hills into tombs of mud and debris . The state 's death toll from flooding has climbed to 741 , according to government figures released Wednesday . And thousands are homeless across the state . In Teresopolis , where 302 bodies have been found , one official predicted that the final tally may far exceed that . `` I think there may be five times what we found until now , '' said Maj. Carlos Falconi , who coordinates the rescue operation in what was once a picturesque tourist town and is now a wasteland . In Nova Friburgo -- the hardest-hit city , according to government figures -- 355 deaths due to flooding have been counted . In Petropolis , 63 deaths ; and in Sumidouro , 21 . Rescuers have not been able to reach some hard-hit areas , and the damage is not over -- forecasters predict rain for the next several days in areas already submerged . Other states in the South American country have also seen heavy rainfall . Last week , authorities in neighboring Sao Paulo state said 24 people had been killed by flooding . Brazilian authorities have been criticized for a lack of disaster planning and for allowing homes to be built on property known to become treacherous in the rainy season . They are under pressure to show a strong response . Brazil is scheduled to host the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016 . CNN 's Shasta Darlington contributed to this report .
The death toll in Rio de Janeiro state has climbed to 741 . ` ` I think there may be five times what we found until now , '' he says . We predict flooding for the next several days in areas already submerged .