A severe storm wreaked havoc in southeastern Brazil, leading to the loss of at least a dozen lives, predominantly in the mountainous regions of Rio de Janeiro state.
Authorities mobilized rescue teams to address the “critical” situation unfolding. Rio de Janeiro state reported eight fatalities, while the neighbouring state of Espirito Santo confirmed four deaths and seven individuals missing.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, commenting on the incident via X (formerly Twitter), linked such environmental calamities to the exacerbating effects of climate change. He noted the displacement of thousands and conveyed condolences to the victims.
The government, he stated, is collaborating with local and state entities to mitigate, anticipate, and repair flood-related damages.
Among the casualties in Rio state, four occurred when a dwelling collapsed in Petropolis, situated 70 kilometres (45 miles) inland from the capital.
An AFP team documented the dramatic rescue of a girl, buried under rubble for over 16 hours, with her deceased father found beside her. Witnesses recounted the father’s protective actions, earning him posthumous acclaim.
In Espirito Santo, four fatalities were reported, with the governor describing a “chaotic situation” in Mimoso do Sul, where the exact death toll remained uncertain.
Meanwhile, in Sao Paolo state, two children sustained injuries during the storm.
Governor Claudio Castro declared a “critical” status in the Petropolis due to relentless rains and the overflow of the Quitandinha River.
Military personnel, along with search dogs, were dispatched to the area, and schools offered refuge to those displaced. The emergency committee reported the rescue of around 90 individuals since the onset of the storm.
Local media depicted scenes of torrents carrying water, mud, and debris down slopes in Petropolis, evoking memories of a catastrophic storm in February 2022 that claimed 241 lives.
Last January, at least 11 people perished in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings due to torrential rains that struck the area.
Astate of emergency has been declared in parts of the city, where a staggering total of 200 millimetres of rain fell in the last twenty-four hours. This amount exceeded the expected rainfall for the entire month of January.
