Juiz de Fora ranks as the 9th Brazilian city with the highest population living in areas at risk of floods and landslides, according to a study by the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters.
Juiz de Fora has been identified as the 9th city in Brazil with the largest population at risk due to floods and landslides. This classification comes from a study conducted by the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters (Cemaden), which is part of the new version of the Federal Government's Growth Acceleration Program (PAC). The report analyzes municipalities throughout Brazil to determine the susceptibility to natural disasters by assessing the number of inhabitants living in mapped high-risk geo-hydrological areas.
Based on the Cemaden report, Juiz de Fora is reported to be the third most affected city in the state of Minas Gerais, trailing only Belo Horizonte and Ribeirão das Neves. The study highlights that of the 540,756 residents in Juiz de Fora, a significant 128,946 people, representing 23.7% of the city's population, reside in areas classified as at risk for landslides and floods. This data raises concerns about urban planning and preventive measures that need to be taken to protect the residents from potential disasters.
The findings of this report have implications for local government authorities who must consider implementing emergency preparedness measures and enhance urban infrastructure to mitigate the effects of possible natural disasters. It also brings attention to the pressing need for community education on disaster preparedness in high-risk areas, as the topography of the city further exacerbates the risk of flooding and landslides. With this kind of analysis, future investments in public safety and disaster mitigation strategies can be prioritized effectively.
