On Monday night (23) and early Tuesday morning (24), Juiz de Fora experienced a devastating storm that dumped up to 180 mm of rain in certain areas, leading to numerous landslides and building collapses. In the Paineiras neighborhood, a landslide impacted the first floor of a building and two houses on Engenheiro Murilo Miranda de Andrade street. Emergency responders reported that at least 15 residents were trapped in these buildings, with two individuals confirmed to be buried under the debris.

The situation was chaotic as some residents managed to escape to safety while others were not as fortunate. According to Sergeant Oliveira, one couple was trapped, and although the wife was rescued, the whereabouts of the husband remain unknown. Eyewitness accounts describe a loud noise followed by a significant amount of dirt cascading down, prompting residents to rush to higher ground as the earth shifted below them. This incident emphasizes the risks associated with heavy rainfall in urban areas, particularly in locations prone to landslides.

Local authorities have mobilized rescue teams to search for survivors amidst the debris, highlighting the urgent need for effective disaster response protocols in Juiz de Fora. The government will likely review emergency services and infrastructure resilience in light of this event, as the frequency and intensity of such storms may increase due to climate change, posing ongoing risks to vulnerable communities.