Heavy rain in Brazil has caused catastrophic landslides, leaving at least 29 people dead and around 40 others unaccounted for, as reported by emergency services and local authorities. Among the worst-hit areas, the city of Zuis di Fora, with a population of approximately 540,000, saw 22 bodies recovered in the aftermath of the disaster, with firefighters working tirelessly to search through the wreckage of twelve homes buried under mud.

The emergency situation has escalated in Zuis di Fora, where Mayor Margarida Salomão declared a state of emergency early in the morning due to the severe conditions caused by persistent and intense rainfall. The city is grappling with nearly twenty landslides, along with related flooding, which have also claimed the lives of seven individuals in the nearby town of Umbá. The impacts of the extreme weather are increasingly alarming as Brazil experiences what is reportedly the rainiest February in its recorded history.

The situation raises concerns about infrastructure and community preparedness for such natural disasters, especially considering this year's unprecedented rainfall patterns. Local authorities are likely to face immense pressure in the coming days as they work to manage the immediate crisis and mitigate further risks, while the families affected mourn their losses and look for answers amid ongoing rescue operations.