Since Tuesday (15), when a storm hit Petrópolis, in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, causing flooding and landslides, the city’s Civil Defense has recorded 949 occurrences, 775 of which were due to landslides.
According to the Petrópolis city hall, just this morning (20), 57 new calls were made. So far, 152 people have been killed and 165 people are still missing.
On Thursday (17) it rained heavily in the region and the weather remained unstable on the weekend, hampering the search for the missing. According to the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet), the region continues with heavy rain forecast until tomorrow (21).
Civil Defense is working on inspections in affected areas and has 26 operational teams on the streets today, to complete around 900 technical analyzes throughout the city, with the reinforcement of vehicles sent by various agencies and volunteers, such as the Grupo de Jepeiros.
In the affected and risky areas, 856 people were evacuated and sent to the 12 support points set up in the city. In hospitals, 197 people were rescued as a result of the floods and landslides.
Water supply
Landslides compromised the water supply and the electricity grid of Petrópolis – Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil
The Águas do Imperador group, the concessionaire responsible for the supply in Petrópolis, reported today that the seven water treatment plants (ETAs) are operating regularly and that the supply has been normalized in the districts and in the central region of the city.
The supply has already been regularized in the neighborhoods most affected by the rains: 24 de Maio, Castelânea, Atilio Marotti and the higher parts of Valparaíso. The situation is in the process of normalization in Quitandinha, Floresta, Estrada da Saudade, Boa Vista, Caxambu and Dr. Thouzet.
In Alto da Serra and Vila Felipe, the supply is normal in areas where there have been no landslides. In Pedras Brancas, the teams look for leaks that are covered up, preventing the distribution of water. In this neighborhood, water supply is reinforced by water trucks, as well as in Parque São Vicente, where 40 meters of nets were replaced, but there are still leaks.
With the re-establishment of electricity this morning in the Sergeant Boening neighborhood, a temporary pump was installed that should normalize the supply as of tomorrow. The on-site dealership facility was destroyed by a barrier.
The group informs that the quality control of the water distributed has been intensified since Wednesday and that all the concessionaire’s dams are at normal levels and present no risk of rupture.
animal rescue
Animal Rescue in Petrópolis – Disclosure / State Government and Senac
After the beginning of the landslides and floods, the Animal Welfare Coordination (Cobea) has already rescued more than 200 animals from the affected areas in Petrópolis, which are being taken to one of the 39 temporary homes registered by the city hall. The injured animals were taken to voluntary clinics.
According to the coordinator of the service, Raphaela Buriche, Cobea is registering volunteers to receive the animals on a provisional basis and also veterinarians. Interested parties should contact us by phone (24) 99204-0647.
“We are rescuing the animals that are in these areas, as many have lost their owners. Others need temporary homes until their owners return to their homes and pick up their animals. We are in need of more volunteers to welcome the animals that are being rescued. Any help at this time is very important. For the animals that are with their tutors and need help, we are donating food and helping with transport, if necessary”.
