Severe rains in Southeast Brazil have resulted in at least 28 fatalities, with the majority occurring in Minas Gerais, where emergency measures have been declared due to extensive damage and loss of life.
Severe downpours in the Southeast region of Brazil since Monday night have led to tragic consequences, claiming the lives of at least 28 people, particularly in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais, as reported by the firefighters. The state of Minas Gerais has reported the highest number of fatalities, with the city of Juiz de Fora being one of the hardest hit, accounting for 21 confirmed deaths in the last 24 hours and at least 37 individuals still unaccounted for. Additionally, neighboring Ubá has confirmed seven deaths and three missing persons, exacerbating the crisis in the region.
In Juiz de Fora, an alarming 80% of the expected monthly rainfall fell within a mere seven hours, overwhelming the local infrastructure and leading to significant mudslides and flooding. In response to the disaster, the city’s mayor, Margarida Salomão, declared a state of public calamity, a declaration that has been acknowledged by the federal government. This situation marks a devastating turning point, as it is the first time during her tenure that the city has to mourn lives lost due to climatic events like landslides.
The implications of this disaster extend beyond immediate loss of life, as communities across Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo face widespread dislocation and disruption. The heavy rains not only pose a continual threat to safety but also strain resources for emergency response and recovery efforts, highlighting the increasing impact of climate-related events in Brazil and the need for better preparedness and resilience strategies moving forward.
