During the opening night of Carnaval, a sewage pipe burst outside the São Paulo City Hall's VIP area at Anhembi, leading to flooding and a strong smell of sewage in the area. The incident occurred around 1 AM after a rainstorm that hit the city, which also contributed to the situation due to accumulated dirt in the pipe. Consequently, attendees were faced with the unpleasant scenario of navigating through the flooded entrance to the VIP area.

Security personnel reported the occurrence and noted that attendees had to leap over the floodwaters. To assist them in avoiding the sewage, staff improvised by creating a makeshift bridge using wooden pallets. The urgent nature of the situation prompted the City Hall to dispatch a mechanized cleaning truck to address the mess and restore the area.

This incident highlights ongoing issues related to infrastructure in major urban centers like São Paulo, particularly during events that attract large crowds, such as Carnaval. The combination of poor drainage, maintenance issues, and the unfortunate timing of the rainfall raises concerns about the city's preparedness for significant public gatherings and the management of essential services during peak times.