On Thursday, rescue teams began the third day of searching for individuals missing from the devastation caused by severe rainfall in the cities of Juiz de Fora and Ubá, Brazil. So far, 20 individuals are reported missing, with 18 from Juiz de Fora and 2 from Ubá. The situation has been dire, as over 40 deaths have been confirmed due to the catastrophic weather-related incidents that have swept through these areas.

The intense rainfall resulted in numerous landslides and flooding, prompting nearly 1,000 emergency occurrences in Juiz de Fora alone. This has led to severe challenges for first responders; among the casualties was a nursing technician who survived for more than 15 hours under the debris but unfortunately succumbed to her injuries. Additionally, a penal police officer lost his life while attempting to rescue his wife and other residents trapped in a building, highlighting the peril faced by emergency personnel during such crises.

Currently, around 500 residents in Juiz de Fora are without electricity, and search operations are being conducted amidst overwhelming destruction. The local authorities are focusing on recovery efforts, while also planning for future prevention and response to similar weather disasters. The community is rallying together in the wake of this tragedy, seeking support and hope during this challenging time.