At least 30 individuals lost their lives following severe rainfall in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, as reported by local officials on Tuesday. Additionally, 39 people are currently unaccounted for.
The state fire department confirmed the fatalities occurred in the cities of Juiz de Fora and Uba, roughly 110 kilometers apart. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences, emphasizing the importance of providing humanitarian aid, restoring essential services, assisting displaced individuals, and aiding in reconstruction efforts.
In Juiz de Fora, around 440 residents have been displaced due to flooding and landslides triggered by the heavy rain, resulting in the suspension of classes in municipal schools. Specialized teams have been mobilized to handle emergencies, including search and rescue operations for missing persons. The state fire department has deployed 134 officials to assist in Juiz de Fora and Uba.
Gabriel Vitor, a 24-year-old firefighter involved in the Juiz de Fora operations, acknowledged the challenging circumstances, noting the significant number of missing individuals. However, he expressed optimism that with collaborative efforts, all affected persons would eventually be located.
The city of Juiz de Fora has declared a state of emergency, prompting the Brazilian government to expedite relief and humanitarian assistance. The region typically experiences heavy rainfall during the summer months, leading to thunderstorms, flooding, and mudslides.
Residents, like 45-year-old Jaqueline Teixeira, expressed deep sorrow over the situation and hoped for miraculous outcomes for the survivors. Juiz de Fora authorities revealed that this February has been the wettest on record, with rainfall exceeding double the expected monthly average.
Mayor Margarida Salomão described the conditions as “critical” in a social media update. The National Institute of Meteorology in Brazil has issued alerts for heavy rainfall in parts of 14 states, including Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro.