In Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil, Civil Defense teams carried out cleaning operations on the pillars of the Barcelos Martins Bridge and the Leonel Brizola Bridge on Thursday, following significant flooding of the Paraíba do Sul River. This initiative was necessary to remove debris such as branches, plants, and other materials that had become trapped on the bridge structures due to rising water levels. By utilizing a boat, the teams effectively reached areas beneath the bridges to clear materials swept in by the current.

The cleaning effort is critical, particularly for the Barcelos Martins Bridge, which has been under close observation after a report of subsidence at one of its pillars last month. The incident had led to the closure of the crossing as a precautionary measure. The Civil Defense noted that accumulated debris poses risks by increasing water pressure on the bridge pillars and hampers the assessment activities of maintenance teams responsible for evaluating the structural integrity of the bridges.

This event underscores the ongoing challenges faced by infrastructure in Brazil due to climate-related phenomena, especially in flood-prone areas. The proactive measures taken by the Civil Defense aim to ensure the safety and functionality of vital transport links in the region, highlighting the importance of response preparedness in addressing natural disaster impacts in urban settings.