A week after the storm that hit Petrópolis last Tuesday (15), 195 deaths have already been confirmed. The searches continue and mobilize more than 600 military personnel, approximately 500 from the Rio de Janeiro Fire Department and the rest sent from other states in solidarity. According to the Rio de Janeiro corporation, 24 people were rescued alive.
Work does not just take place in areas that have been affected by landslides. Taking into account the reports of witnesses and family members, victims are also being sought in the rivers that cross the city. “Drones and ground teams are used to scan the waters, identifying points of interest and displacing a firefighter specialized in diving to the places”, informs the Fire Department.
The data show that more than 60% of the dead are women. Among the deaths, 32 children were confirmed. The Legal Medical Institute (IML), linked to the Civil Police, is responsible for the victim identification process. So far, 153 bodies have been released and buried. Only today (22), there were 23 burials.
The storm hit Petrópolis and was appointed by the government of Rio de Janeiro as the worst rain in the city since 1932. According to the Rio de Janeiro Fire Department, it rained 258.6 millimeters in just 3 hours, which caused destruction in several neighborhoods. The state government claims to have already removed 26,500 tons of garbage and debris from the streets of Petrópolis. The work mobilizes around 600 men and 250 pieces of equipment.
The extent of the damage is still being measured. Civil Defense has already carried out 350 inspections to provide technical reports to homes that were damaged by landslides, infiltrations and flooding or that are in areas that still offer geological risks. Historic buildings also undergo evaluation.
The impacts on the buildings of public bodies led the president of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), Minister Luiz Fux, to suspend the deadlines of the processes in which the municipality is a party for 30 days. The processing of these lawsuits will resume on March 21. The decision responded to a request from the city hall, which claimed that the secretariats are unable to collect necessary information in processes and that they are 100% dedicated to emergency actions in response to the calamity situation. The federal court also accepted the same request, but set the suspension of proceedings until March 6.
A study by the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Firjan) estimated a loss of BRL 665 million in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Petropolis. According to the survey, 65% of the companies in the city were directly impacted and 85% did not have their operations restored.
The numbers already make the tragedy the largest in the city’s history. Another catastrophe that occurred due to the rains left 171 dead in 1988. In 2011, 73 residents of Petrópolis lost their lives in the midst of storms that hit the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, which strongly affected the cities of Teresópolis and Nova Friburgo.
The rains are still a concern. The municipal Civil Defense triggered the sirens again today (22), which has happened on a recurring basis. Earlier, the alarm sounded on all 18 devices spread across the city near risk areas, to inform about the occurrence of moderate to heavy rains. In the middle of the afternoon, the siren of the Quitandinha neighborhood was activated again, after a record of 41 millimeters of precipitation in one hour.
New impacts were recorded amid today’s rains. Bingen Street, an important thoroughfare in the Bingen neighborhood, had to have half a lane closed for 100 meters due to the fall of part of the lane on the river bank.
“The guideline is that, in case of heavy rain, the population seeks a safe place at the home of family members, outside the risk area or at one of the support points maintained by the city hall”, reiterates the Civil Defense. At the moment, the city welcomes 811 people in the 13 public schools that are under the responsibility of the municipal secretary of social assistance.
Yesterday (21), Mayor Rubens Bomtempo announced an agreement with the state governor, Cláudio Castro, to guarantee social rent in the amount of R$1 thousand, with R$ 800 paid by the state and R$ 200 by the municipality. The purpose of the benefit is to allow families to rent rooms or houses temporarily.
Health and water distribution services are gradually being re-established, but are not yet fully operational. In some regions it is still necessary to use a water truck for supply.
Vaccination against covid-19 was resumed yesterday (21). At this first moment, seven stations will work from 10 am to 2:30 pm and registration must be done through the city hall website. Children from 5 to 11 years old can be attended by the traveling teams, where registration is not necessary.
economic measures
Considering that a large part of the population suffered some damage, several economic measures have been discussed to alleviate the situation of the city’s residents. Owners of cars with Petrópolis plates will be able to pay the Tax on Motor Vehicle Properties (IPVA) only in the second half of the year. The extension of the deadline has already been fixed by the state government. The municipality reported on Sunday (20) that it is evaluating the exemption or reduction of the Urban Property and Territorial Tax (IPTU) and tariffs for public services such as water and electricity, among other actions.
Changes in deadlines also benefit companies. According to a decision by the state government, compliance with the so-called accessory obligations of the Tax on the Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS) can be done until July 1st.
