First came the heat wave, then the storm: heavy rains led to floods and landslides in southeastern Brazil. At least 25 people died. The rescue work is still ongoing.
At least 25 people have died in severe storms in southeastern Brazil. The authorities in the state of Rio de Janeiro reported eight deaths on Saturday, and in neighboring Espírito Santo the local civil protection authority announced 17 deaths on Sunday.
Heavy rain on Saturday night led to flooding, flash floods and landslides. According to a civil defense spokesman, more than 5,400 people were brought to safety in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazilian media reported. More than 250 people lost their homes.
Some communities in the state were cut off from the outside world. The rescue workers tried hard to rescue people by boat or from the air.
President Lula cites climate change as the cause
In Petrópolis, around 70 kilometers north of the coastal metropolis of Rio de Janeiro at an altitude of over 800 meters, authorities said more than 300 liters of rain per square meter fell in 24 hours. The storm followed a heat wave in the region. A week earlier, a felt temperature of 62.3 degrees was measured in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazilian President Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences to those affected by the natural disaster. Thousands were made homeless by the storm.
His government is working with state and local authorities “to protect and to prevent or repair damage caused by floods,” Lula explained on the online service