pbr The rescue operation continues in Brazil, as hundreds of workers scramble to find residents buried by a landslide near Rio de Janeiro.br ppbr The death toll from heavy rains in Brazil's second-largest city has now risen to 153.br ppbr The heaviest rains in more than 40 years have triggered nearly 200 mudslides that have crushed shacks in hillside slums, causing most of the deaths and leaving thousands of people homeless.br ppbr Authorities say at least 10,000 houses still are at risk of collapse with the security forces being sent to help with rescue operations.br ppbr The mayor of Rio's appealed to the government for more than £135 million in aid for emergency operations.