Juiz de Fora faced a devastating event last week that resulted in the highest death toll in its recent history, with 64 individuals primarily killed from being buried under landslides caused by intense rains. February has been marked as the rainiest period ever recorded for the city, compounding the dangers of geological instability in the region.

The geological disaster should not have been unexpected, as a rising trend in landslides reported by the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters (Cemaden) indicated increasing soil instability in Juiz de Fora. The landslide index had been on an upward trajectory since 2020, peaking in 2023. While 2024 and 2025 showed a decrease in these numbers, they still remained above pre-2020 levels, highlighting ongoing risks for the city.

Significantly, many of the disasters occurred in areas already identified as high-risk zones. This information underscores the awareness of local authorities regarding the hazard posed by landslides, suggesting that while efforts may need to be redoubled to mitigate future risks, the lack of adequate relocation or preventive measures has left residents vulnerable in these dangerous locales.