Mar 20 • 19:11 UTC 🇧🇷 Brazil G1 (PT)

Heavy rain causes crater and blocks BR-153 in the interior of SP due to risk of landslides

Heavy rains have caused significant erosion along BR-153 in São Paulo, leading to a blockage of this crucial highway due to safety concerns over potential landslides.

Significant rainfall over the past week has resulted in substantial erosion along BR-153 in São Paulo, as reported by the State's Civil Defense. This erosion has compromised a stormwater drainage system located alongside the highway, causing both the ground and the roadway to sink. BR-153 serves as one of the main transport routes connecting the North and South of Brazil, indicating that the consequences of this blockage will likely affect agricultural production and general freight transport significantly.

The Transbrasiliana highway has been officially closed between Marília and Ourinhos due to the erosion, with no estimated timeline for completion of the repair work. Luís Antônio Bissoli, the coordinator of the Civil Defense in Marília, explained that reopening this section of the highway requires serious construction efforts—including establishing a new drainage system, as the old one was inadequate for handling the recent volume of rainfall. The extensive repair work underscores the need for modern infrastructure capable of withstanding severe weather events, which are becoming increasingly common.

The situation highlights the vulnerability of critical transportation infrastructure to extreme weather, prompting calls for improved engineering solutions to prevent future incidents. The ramifications of this blockage could extend beyond local inconvenience, affecting supply chains and economic activities reliant on this vital transport route, especially during the peak agricultural season when transportation needs are heightened.

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