Heavy rainfall in cities on the north coast of São Paulo has led to flooding and landslides, including significant disruptions on the Rio-Santos highway.
Since Saturday afternoon (7), heavy rains have impacted cities on the north coast of São Paulo, resulting in numerous problems. São Sebastião experienced flooding, fallen trees, and landslides, particularly at Juquehy beach. Traffic on the Dr. Manoel Hippolyto do Rego Highway (Rio-Santos) was completely blocked around kilometer 175 on Saturday night, but emergency vehicles and buses were later allowed to pass. By Sunday afternoon, the highway had resumed a 'stop and go' operation while crews performed thorough cleaning of the area.
According to the São Paulo Civil Defense, the past 24 hours saw Bertioga receiving 126 millimeters of rain, São Sebastião 119 mm, and Caraguatatuba 103 mm. These rainfall amounts are deemed extraordinarily high for a single day. Additionally, other cities in the eastern and northwestern parts of the state were also affected. Authorities are assessing damage and working to clear the areas impacted by the floods and landslides, ensuring public safety as they continue to manage the consequences of this severe weather event.
This incident not only poses immediate challenges for residents and infrastructure but also raises concerns about the adequacy of local emergency response systems and the need for better preparedness for future weather events. With predictions of similar weather patterns possibly continuing, both residents and local officials must remain vigilant as recovery efforts proceed and safety measures are reassessed.
