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In less than six hours, it rained on Tuesday in Petropolis, near Rio de Janeiro, the equivalent of the precipitation of the whole month of February. These torrential rains, accompanied by landslides and floods, caused the death of at least 18 people, according to the latest report.
Eighteen people lost their lives on Tuesday, February 15, following torrential rains causing landslides and flooding in the tourist town of Petropolis, near Rio de Janeiro.
“So far, 18 deaths caused by landslides and floods have been confirmed,” said a statement from Rio firefighters, more than 180 of whom are on site, 68 km north of the city.
“Specialized search and rescue teams have been sent to reinforce the rescue operations, with the support of 4×4 vehicles and boats,” according to the firefighters.
Images circulated on social networks and in the media, where one saw houses destroyed by landslides on hillsides and cars violently carried away by the current.
Many businesses were completely inundated by the water, which invaded the streets of the historic center of Petropolis, ripping out goods, as seen in videos posted on social networks.
“State of Calamity”
In less than six hours, some points in the city received up to 260 millimeters of water, more than was expected for the whole month of February, according to the meteorological agency MetSul.
Petropolis City Hall declared a “state of calamity” to deal with the emergency, and state governor Claudio Castro came to the scene to show his support.
From Russia, where he is visiting, President Jair Bolsonaro wrote on Twitter that he was keeping abreast of the “tragedy” and asked his ministers to provide “immediate aid to the victims”. “May God comfort the families of the victims,” he added.
The rains have ended but others, “from light to moderate”, were forecast for the next few hours, warned the town hall.
With AFP