VIDEO: heavy rain floods streets in a city in Paraná
Heavy rains caused significant flooding in Palmas, Paraná, displacing approximately 250 residents due to safety concerns.
Heavy rainfall in Palmas, a city in southern Paraná, Brazil, led to severe flooding on Friday evening, resulting in water accumulation on various streets, including Rafael Ribas Street. The state's environmental monitoring system, Simepar, recorded a precipitation level of 99.4 mm in Palmas by early Saturday morning. Video footage shows vehicles struggling to navigate through the flooded streets as the water reached door levels, highlighting the severe impact of the downpour.
The local Civil Defense reported over 20 flood points throughout the city, prompting the evacuation of around 250 people who were displaced for safety reasons. Emergency teams began mapping the most critical areas in need of assistance on Saturday, signaling a response to the disaster's immediate aftermath. Additional cities in the region, such as São Miguel do Iguaçu, also reported significant rainfall, with 193 mm recorded between Friday afternoon and early Saturday, although there were no immediate reports of damage in those areas.
The flooding in Palmas not only raises concerns about immediate safety and property damage but also highlights ongoing issues related to urban infrastructure and climate resilience. The response from local authorities will be crucial in managing the immediate needs of affected residents and assessing the longer-term implications of such extreme weather events in the region.