Heavy rain and strong winds in Rio de Janeiro caused flooding and disruptions in public transport, particularly affecting the western zones of the city.
Rio de Janeiro experienced heavy rainfall during the night of Wednesday (November 11), leading to significant flooding and interruptions in public transport services. The western areas of the city, particularly Bangu and Rocinha, reported the highest rainfall levels, with Bangu receiving 15.2 mm in just 15 minutes. This intense weather event follows a streak of over ten consecutive days of rain, which has caused ongoing disruptions across the city.
The city's monitoring system, Sistema Alerta Rio, indicated that several neighborhoods faced intense downpours resulting in numerous flooding points. Areas such as Alto da Boa Vista and Vidigal recorded substantial rainfall with 14.6 mm and 23.2 mm, respectively, within the same short period. In response to these weather challenges, Mobi-Rio, the public transport authority, announced temporary suspension of certain bus lines due to flooding conditions in northern and western zones.
This latest weather event highlights the vulnerability of Rio de Janeiro to severe thunderstorms, particularly during the rainy season, raising concerns about urban infrastructure and emergency preparedness. With the potential for continued rain and successive storms, authorities are urged to enhance disaster response strategies to mitigate the impact on residents and the city's transport systems.
