Brazil Torrential Rains Bring Devastating Flood, Killing At Least 12

Neighborhoods in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are grappling with severe flooding that persists more than a day after torrential rains wreaked havoc, claiming the lives of at least 12 people, according to ABC News.

The heavy downpour, occurring over the weekend, inundated homes, a hospital, the metro line in Rio, and a crucial section of Avenida Brasil, a main freeway.

The floods proved particularly catastrophic in Rio's northern peripheries, affecting some of the metropolitan's poorest areas.

Reports indicate that people lost their lives through drowning, landslides, and even electrocution.

Civil defense officials have identified 18 towns across the state at "high" risk of further landslides, emphasizing the ongoing danger.

Emergency Declared as City Grapples With Inundation

Mayor Eduardo Paes declared a state of "emergency" in response to the calamity, urging residents to stay home for their safety while rescue and recovery efforts are underway, Al Jazeera reports.

The flooding caused Brazil torrential rains forced the closure of a dozen bus lines and several metro stations due to waterlogged tracks.

In some parts of the city, the amount of rainfall in just 24 hours exceeded the typical level for the entire month of January.

Acari, one of the worst-affected neighborhoods of Brazil torrential rains, witnessed flooding in the basement offices of the Ronaldo Gazolla Municipal Hospital, and local businesses faced substantial damage.

Alexandre Gomes, working to clear water from his store, described the recurring issue, stating, "Every year, the same thing happens when it rains hard here; it turns into a pool, a lagoon."

A national agency monitoring natural disasters highlighted the persistent high risk of landslides in eight towns in the surrounding Rio de Janeiro state.

Residents Face Devastation and Desperation

Residents in areas like Duque de Caxias, north of Rio, are grappling with the aftermath of over 100 millimeters (3.9 inches) of rain in 24 hours, per NBC 10.

Heloisa Regina, a bar owner in the affected city, expressed the despair felt by many: "We feel like animals. It's not normal to live like this."

She spent the night on a pool table, grappling with the uncertainty of how to repair the extensive damage.

Video footage from Brazil's Globo television network captured residents wading through waist-high water, climbing onto roofs, and calling for help as helicopters surveyed the scene.

Some residents in Duque de Caxias accused authorities of neglect, asserting that conditions have not improved since the floods over a decade ago.

The situation is dire for many, like 80-year-old Eliana Vieira Krauss, who carried her disabled father-in-law to safety through rising waters.

Nízia Maria Geralda Francisco, 70, spent the night on her roof to escape flooding, only to find her belongings soaked the next morning.

In light of previous climate-related disasters in Brazil, including flooding and landslides in Sao Paulo state in February 2023 and cyclone-induced flooding in southern Brazil in September, the recurring crises underscore the need for measures to address the impacts of climate change.

Experts warn that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to human-caused climate change, with 2023 marking the hottest year on record.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Brazil Floods | 11 Dead In Rio De Janeiro After Heavy Rainfall Triggers floods, Landslides - From CNN-News18