A devastating storm has claimed the lives of at least nine individuals in southeastern Brazil, with a focus on the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro state. The authorities have mobilized rescue teams to address what they describe as a “critical” situation.
In the city of Petropolis, located 70 kilometers (45 miles) from the capital, three people tragically lost their lives in a house collapse, according to a report from an emergency committee comprising officials from the Rio government and civil defense.
Additionally, another body was discovered in the rubble on Saturday, as reported by an AFP team. A miraculous rescue occurred when a girl, buried overnight, was successfully extracted alive.
Elsewhere, fatalities were reported in Santa Cruz da Serra, where a man drowned after his truck plunged into a river, and in Teresopolis, where a person died due to a house collapse. Another individual was struck by lightning in Arraial do Cabo.
Tragically, two children, aged three and nine, also lost their lives in separate storm-related incidents in Sao Paolo state, according to officials.
Governor Claudio Castro of Rio declared the situation in Petropolis as “critical” due to the heavy rains and overflowing Quitandinha River. Rescue efforts were intensified, with dozens of soldiers equipped with dogs rushing to the scene. Schools opened their doors to provide shelter for the displaced individuals.
By Saturday morning, around 90 people had been rescued alive, according to the latest bulletin.
Picturesque Petropolis witnessed torrents of water, mud, and debris cascading down slopes, reminiscent of a catastrophic storm in February 2022 that claimed 241 lives.
The recent storm brought an astonishing 270 millimeters (11 inches) of rain within just 24 hours, as reported by the Rio government. The National Institute of Meteorology had warned of severe weather conditions, with Rio expecting rainfall of 200mm per day from Friday through Sunday—significantly surpassing the 141mm typically received in the entire month of March.
In anticipation of the storm, Rio authorities declared an administrative holiday on Friday and advised residents to remain indoors. These torrential rains followed shortly after a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures soaring up to 62 degrees Celsius (143 Fahrenheit).
