Muddy water inundated streets and forced businesses to close in several cities across Brazil’s Minas Gerais state on Thursday, as authorities reported a rising death toll of 53 following days of torrential rainfall and landslides. Rescue operations continued, hampered by ongoing precipitation and the risk of further collapses.
The hardest-hit areas remain Juiz de Fora and Uba, approximately 192 miles north of Rio de Janeiro, where all confirmed fatalities have been recorded. Fire department officials stated that 15 individuals are currently listed as missing, while over 230 have been successfully rescued from the floodwaters and debris.
Rev. Ananias Simões, a pastor at a church in Juiz de Fora serving as a shelter for displaced residents, described a scene of ongoing disruption. “This morning, all the shops in the city center are being cleaned again. The storm on Monday already caused damage, and early this morning there was even more damage,” he said. Simões added that numerous roads are impassable due to the threat of additional heavy rain, complicating efforts to deliver aid. Despite these logistical challenges, he intends to reach the city’s northern zone, which has sustained significant damage, with food and water.
Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) issued a warning Thursday morning forecasting continued heavy rainfall and strong winds across Minas Gerais. The alert highlighted the potential for power outages, falling trees, widespread flooding, and lightning strikes. The fire department has urged residents to inspect their properties for structural damage, including cracks in walls, fissures in the ground, and difficulties with doors and windows, all of which could indicate an imminent risk of collapse. They also advised vigilance for signs of instability outside, such as leaning trees, compromised utility poles, and unusual ground sounds.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced on Tuesday the deployment of security forces to assist with rescue efforts and provide immediate support to affected communities. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but preliminary reports indicate widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure.
The disaster in Minas Gerais follows closely on the heels of devastating floods in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul in May 2024. Those floods resulted in at least 185 deaths and caused an estimated 10 billion reais (approximately $1.9 billion USD) in economic losses, crippling businesses, farms, and ranches throughout the region. Scientists increasingly attribute the heightened frequency and intensity of extreme weather events to the effects of human-induced climate change.
As of Thursday afternoon, authorities had not announced a timeline for the completion of search and rescue operations, and the full scope of the damage remains unknown. The Inmet continues to monitor the weather situation, with further updates expected in the coming days.
