Feb 25 • 14:42 UTC 🇧🇷 Brazil G1 (PT)

VIDEO: Flood devastates the basement with laboratories and library of UEMG in Ubá; damage may reach R$ 10 million

Heavy rains have caused severe flooding at the UEMG campus in Ubá, Brazil, leading to substantial damage estimated between R$ 5 million and R$ 10 million.

Two days after significant rainfall that devastated the city of Ubá in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais, the campus of the University of the State of Minas Gerais (UEMG) remains inundated with mud as of Wednesday morning, November 25. The floodwaters entered the basement of the building on the night of Monday, November 23, destroying everything in its path, including books, furniture, and expensive equipment. Kelly Silva, the director of the unit, reported that the total damages could range between R$ 5 million and R$ 10 million, highlighting the extensive impact on the university's resources.

The basement of the UEMG campus, which resides in a three-story building previously used as a shoe factory, houses vital facilities such as the library and various laboratories, including those for Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Analysis. The severity of the flooding was unprecedented, with reports indicating that the water level reached the ceiling of the entire basement for the first time, resulting in a total loss of equipment and resources previously valued at millions. Silva described the situation as a "war-zone scenario," underscoring the emotional and logistical challenges faced by staff and students amidst the recovery efforts.

As the university grapples with the aftermath of this natural disaster, the focus will likely shift to assessing the full extent of the damage and mobilizing resources for recovery. The situation highlights the vulnerability of educational institutions in regions prone to heavy rain and flooding, raising questions about future disaster preparedness measures and infrastructural resilience in the area.

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