Severe Rainfall Leads to Loss of 11 Lives in Southeastern Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, Jan 13 (NationPress) Significant rainfall in southeastern Brazil has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 11 lives, with nine fatalities occurring from landslides in the valley area of Minas Gerais state on Sunday morning, according to local authorities.

As per the state fire department, landslides were responsible for nine deaths and left one individual missing in the city of Ipatinga. This city experienced both landslides and flooding after an astonishing 80 millimeters of rain fell in less than an hour. In light of this disaster, local officials have declared a 180-day public disaster state.

In a video message shared on social media, Romeu Zema, the governor of Minas Gerais, stated that he plans to visit Ipatinga on Monday morning (local time) to evaluate the situation and arrange for safer temporary housing for displaced residents.

Additionally, in Santa Catarina, heavy rain has caused portions of highways to collapse, resulting in two deaths and one missing person. The state government reported a rainfall total of 121.4 millimeters in the past 24 hours, which led to numerous road closures. A crisis management committee has been established to coordinate rescue operations and repair the damaged roads.

Like many other nations globally, Brazil is experiencing the impacts of extreme weather.

Last year, Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, recorded its longest period without rain, lasting 164 consecutive days.

This prolonged drought contributed to severe wildfires and grassland burns that erupted in various parts of the country starting in August, as reported by the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet).

The previous record for the longest dry spell was set in 1963, just three years after the establishment of Brasilia, with 163 consecutive days without rain. The city, located in Brazil's central region, is currently facing the combined threats of extreme heat and low humidity, as reported by Xinhua.

Authorities have issued an 'orange alert' due to critically low humidity levels of 15 percent, alongside temperatures surpassing 35 degrees Celsius.

A report from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) noted a staggering 269 percent rise in wildfires in Brasilia in 2024 compared to previous years.

Brasilia is nestled in the Cerrado biome, a vast tropical savanna that experienced unprecedented wildfires last year.