Brazil’s Minas Gerais state hit by more rain as flooding death toll rises to 53
RIO DE JANEIRO — Residents in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, woke up to flooded streets and closed roads and shops on Thursday as heavy rain overnight added to the chaos caused by recent floods and landslides, which have claimed the lives of 53 people, authorities reported.
Rescue teams are working tirelessly for the third consecutive day since the disaster struck late Monday, triggering a series of floods, landslides, collapsed homes, and school closures.
The fire department in Minas Gerais stated that 15 individuals are still unaccounted for, while over 230 people have been successfully rescued.
The meteorology institute in Brazil, Inmet, issued a warning on Thursday morning of more rain accompanied by strong winds, posing risks of power outages, falling tree branches, flooding, and lightning strikes.
Rev. Ananias Simões, a pastor in Juiz de Fora, the hardest-hit city, described the current situation as chaotic, with ongoing efforts to clean up the damage caused by the storm on Monday and the additional destruction from the recent downpour.
All victims have been reported in Juiz de Fora and Uba, with Simões’ church providing shelter and aid to those affected, despite the logistical challenges posed by closed roads and the anticipation of more heavy rain.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva assured on social media that security forces are actively engaged in rescue operations and delivering immediate assistance to the rain-affected population.
The fire department has issued warnings for residents to watch out for signs of property damage or collapse, such as cracks in walls, stuck doors and windows, and muddy water flowing down hillsides.
Experts attribute the increase in extreme weather events to human-induced climate change, as seen in the devastating flooding in Rio Grande do Sul in May 2024, which resulted in significant loss of life and economic devastation.
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