Portugal is to announce three days of national mourning because of the deaths from floods and mudslides caused by a violent rainstorm that struck on Saturday.

Funchal, the mail city in Maderia, alongside other towns and villages on the southern coast are seen as the most hit by this crisis.

The rescue teams continue their search for victims amid the rubble; specialist army teams are still working their way to reach cut off communities as roads are blocked and bridges collapse. The weather improved on Sunday following the heavy rains, helping in the search efforts, yet the death toll is likely to rise, according to regional services spokesman Francisco Ramos.

In an emergency cabinet meeting held to discuss the crisis, Portugal is expected to announce three days of national mourning for the destruction that hit Madeira Island.

Portuguese prime minister Jose Socrates said, "I am absolutely saddened and shocked with the images, with the consequences of this calamity."