Heavy rain breaks asphalt and blocks a section of the Santo Antônio Road in Porto Velho
Intense rainfall in Porto Velho caused the Bate-Estaca stream to overflow, leading to the collapse of a section of the Santo Antônio Road.
On Thursday, October 26, heavy rains in Porto Velho led to significant flooding as the Bate-Estaca stream overflowed. This resulted in the collapse of a section of the Santo Antônio Road, causing damage to a culvert which ultimately created a large crater and completely severed the roadway. This incident marks the second occurrence of such infrastructure failure in a short period, as the same area was previously closed in January 2023 due to similar heavy rainfall.
The local Civil Defense reported accumulation levels close to 70 millimeters of rain overnight, with further precipitation expected throughout the day. The rising levels of streams and canals have exacerbated flooding issues, damaging infrastructure in the region. The impacted road is crucial as it serves as a primary access route to key local sites, including the city's largest cemetery, the Rondon Museum, and the Santo Antônio Hydroelectric Plant. As a result of the road collapse, traffic has been halted, affecting local transport and access.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as the weather forecast indicates the potential for ongoing rain, which could lead to additional complications and impede efforts to restore access to the affected areas. The local government emphasizes the need for infrastructure enhancement to withstand such extreme weather events, which can become more frequent due to climate change. This highlights broader implications regarding urban planning and disaster preparedness in Porto Velho and similar cities facing the threats of severe weather.