A resident named Thuani Aprígio in Nova Iguaçu, Brazil, experienced a catastrophic landslide that destroyed her home during severe rainfall on Saturday, resulting in her losing all of her possessions. She is currently staying with her mother and two children in a neighbor's rooms, grappling with the aftermath of the disaster. The rainfall was dramatic, with 74 mm falling in just one hour, exacerbating the soil saturation that had already taken place throughout February, when rainfall exceeded typical levels by four times.

Thuani expressed her despair over the loss, mourning the furniture she had worked hard to acquire, including a sofa and wardrobe purchased just in December. The area of Carmari, where she lives, was the hardest hit, with residents describing a harrowing experience as they struggled for safety amidst the chaos. The heavy rain caused not only landslides but also a sense of paralysis among residents, who could barely react during the peak of the natural disaster, prioritizing the safety of their children and rescuing important documents before their homes were destroyed.

This incident underscores not only the immediate personal tragedies faced by individuals like Thuani but also speaks to broader issues related to climate change and urban planning in vulnerable areas. As weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable and extreme, residents in places like Nova Iguaçu, already susceptible to landslides and flooding, may face more frequent and severe disasters. This raises questions about the adequacy of infrastructure and emergency response measures in protecting communities from the impacts of climate change.