Severe storms in the zona da mata region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, have resulted in a tragic increase of the death toll to 49. The storms, which struck between Monday (23) and Tuesday (24), have had a devastating impact, particularly in the city of Juiz de Fora, where 43 fatalities have been confirmed and 16 individuals are still reported missing according to local authorities. In addition, six deaths were recorded in the nearby city of Ubá, where two more people are also unaccounted for, highlighting the widespread destruction caused by the heavy rains.

The situation remains critical as rescue operations continue amid challenging conditions. Juiz de Fora has been declared a state of public calamity, which allows local government to mobilize additional resources for emergency response. The municipality announced on Thursday that public transportation services are operating on a reduced schedule due to many roads being blocked and limited access in several neighborhoods. These conditions are further complicated by the record of over 1,257 incidents reported by the Civil Defense of Juiz de Fora since the onset of the rains, illustrating the scale of the disaster and the urgent need for ongoing search and rescue efforts.

As the local government and civil defense teams continue their work, the community is facing not only the immediate challenges of rescue but also the long-term repercussions of this natural disaster. The extent of the damage will likely require significant resources for recovery and rebuilding, raising concerns about how the local infrastructure will cope with such unexpected and extreme weather events in the future. Public safety remains a priority as search efforts go on, but the broader implications for the resilience of local communities will need to be addressed as the aftermath unfolds.