At least 30 individuals lost their lives due to severe rainfall in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, as confirmed by local authorities on Tuesday. Additionally, 39 people are currently unaccounted for.
The fatalities occurred in Juiz de Fora and Uba, two cities situated approximately 110 kilometers apart, as reported by the state fire department. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences and emphasized the importance of providing humanitarian aid, restoring essential services, assisting displaced individuals, and aiding in the rebuilding efforts.
In Juiz de Fora, around 440 residents have been displaced, with flooding and landslides causing havoc and leading to the closure of municipal schools. Specialized teams have been deployed to manage emergencies, conduct search operations for missing persons, and provide assistance. The state fire department has dispatched 134 personnel to Juiz de Fora and Uba.
Gabriel Vitor, a 24-year-old firefighter involved in the rescue efforts in Juiz de Fora, highlighted the challenging circumstances, noting the significant number of missing persons. However, he expressed optimism that with collective efforts, all individuals will be located.
Following the declaration of a state of emergency by the Brazilian government in Juiz de Fora, swift relief and humanitarian aid measures have been initiated. The region experiences heightened rainfall during the summer months, leading to frequent heavy downpours, thunderstorms, flooding, and mudslides.
Residents, like 45-year-old Jaqueline Teixeira, are deeply affected by the situation, expressing hope for the survival of those impacted by the natural disaster. The city hall of Juiz de Fora disclosed that this February marks the rainiest period in the city’s history, with precipitation levels exceeding twice the expected amount for the month.
Mayor Margarida Salomão described the current situation as “critical” in a social media statement, underscoring the urgency of the circumstances. The Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology has issued alerts for heavy rainfall in various regions across 14 states, including Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro.
