A strong storm accompanied by “record” rainfall killed at least 36 people in several coastal localities in the state of São Paulo in Brazil, following floods and landslides during the Carnival weekend, said authorities on Sunday. So far, 35 deaths have been recorded in the municipality of São Sebastião, located about 200 km from São Paulo, city mayor Felipe Augusto told US television channel CNN.
Further north, in the coastal town of Ubatuba, a baby girl died following heavy rains, the local government said. The São Paulo state government had earlier in the day reported 19 deaths in a statement, noting that “228 people had been displaced and 338 others evacuated”. The number of people injured and missing has not yet been specified by the authorities, who are still hard at work to help the survivors. The rescue of a two-year-old boy who was covered in mud and a pregnant woman in labor was particularly highlighted by authorities.
São Paulo State Governor Tarcisio de Freitas, who flew over the area affected by the storm, declared a state of emergency in five municipalities in this region north of São Paulo. The latter released 1.5 million dollars (1.4 million euros) for rescue operations. The municipality of São Sebastião, very busy with locals during Carnival, was one of the hardest hit by the storm. In twenty-four hours, 600 mm of rain was recorded, twice as much as the monthly average, the town hall said.
About fifty houses were washed away in São Sebastião. “There are still people underground,” Augusto said. Rainfall volumes were “exceptional and broke records”, he said, describing an “extremely critical” situation. As in other localities in the region, the program of festivities was canceled due to severe weather.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will visit the area affected by the storm on Monday. “Tomorrow I will travel to São Paulo to visit the region and support the efforts to deal with this tragedy,” he said on Twitter. Images of the region broadcast by local media or on social networks testify to the extent of the damage. Neighborhoods were submerged, rubble of homes was swept away by landslides and roads collapsed.
In another post on social media, the Brazilian president promised to “bring together all levels of government” to “care for the injured, search for the missing, restore roads, electrical connections and communication networks”. More than a hundred firefighters are still active on this difficult terrain, using vehicles and seven helicopters, said the government of São Paulo.
In addition, the Brazilian army was also mobilized, as well as two military aircraft. Specialized civil defense groups have also been deployed to the scene to reinforce the rescue system. Integration and Regional Development Minister Waldez Goes will visit the region on Monday. “There will be no lack of human resources or equipment,” he promised Brazilian television channel GloboNews. Brazil, which is suffering the effects of climate change, is plagued by repeated natural disasters, such as in Petropolis in the state of Rio de Janeiro, where more than 230 people died following heavy rains in 2022.
