VIDEO: Aerial image shows streets in Guaratinguetá completely flooded; classes suspended
Heavy rains in Guaratinguetá, Brazil have led to severe flooding, with classes suspended due to unsafe conditions.
Recent heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in Guaratinguetá, a city in São Paulo, Brazil, as revealed by aerial footage released by the local government. The rain accumulation between the night of Thursday and early Friday reached approximately 150 millimeters, which is nearly equivalent to the average monthly rainfall of March, recorded at 163 millimeters. The flooding has notably submerged streets and left at least two vehicles almost completely underwater on the Avenida Ministro Salgado Filho in the Pedregulho neighborhood.
In addition to the main affected areas, the flooding has impacted several other streets, including those in the Jardim Coelho Neto neighborhood and Campo do Galvão. Local authorities, including the São Paulo Civil Defense, have reported significant water accumulation in the neighborhoods of Jardim Rony, Parque das Árvores, and Parque São Francisco, urging residents to avoid these places due to hazardous conditions. The suspension of classes reflects the serious implications of the weather event for daily life and public safety in the region.
The rainfall event prompts a need for assessment and potential emergency management actions, as highlighted by the Civil Defense's advisories. With the area already experiencing substantial rainfall followed by dangerous flooding, the government's warnings indicate a precautionary approach to protect residents. This event is a reminder of the impacts of severe weather on urban infrastructure and community safety, raising questions about the preparedness for natural disasters in increasingly vulnerable regions.