VIDEO: Man dragged by flood current saved by human chain in Paraty, RJ
A man being swept away by floodwaters in Paraty, Brazil, was rescued by a human chain during a severe rainstorm.
In Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, emergency responders acted quickly when a man was swept away by floodwaters during a severe storm on Thursday afternoon. The dramatic rescue, captured on video, shows bystanders forming a human chain to pull the man to safety as he struggled against the powerful current. The incident has since gone viral on social media, sparking conversations about the community's response to natural disasters.
The flooding resulted in significant rainfall, with the Condado neighborhood recording an accumulation of 226 millimeters in just 24 hours. The local government reported that approximately 40 residents were displaced and sheltered in emergency accommodations. Various neighborhoods throughout the municipality experienced extensive damage, and key roads like BR-101 and RJ-165 were also affected, complicating travel and access to the area further.
As of the time of the report, the man who was rescued had not been identified. Nonetheless, this incident highlights the urgent need for disaster preparedness in communities susceptible to extreme weather events, especially considering the increasing frequency of heavy rainfalls linked to climate change. The response from the community demonstrates resilience but also calls for organized measures to ensure safety during such emergencies.