The search efforts for missing persons in Juiz de Fora and Ubá, Brazil, have entered their fourth day as local firefighters persist in combing through the debris caused by recent heavy rainfall. The flooding and landslides have led to at least 60 fatalities, and authorities are still searching for nine individuals who have not been accounted for. The severe weather that began last Monday, the 23rd, has significantly impacted the area, prompting extensive rescue operations and community concern.

Juiz de Fora, located in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais, is identified as the ninth city in Brazil with the largest population living in areas prone to natural disasters. With a population of approximately 540,756, about 23.7% of its residents, or 128,946 people, reside in risk zones vulnerable to landslides and flooding. This statistic highlights the ongoing challenge for local governments in planning and managing disaster response in areas with high population density in hazardous locations.

The storms have caused various impacts across the region, with images captured by drones revealing extensive landslides in Juiz de Fora. These developments underscore the urgent need for infrastructure improvements and better preparedness to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events, especially in cities with significant populations living in perilous conditions.