Six people died this Tuesday in Petrópolis, the mountainous region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, as a result of 49 landslides and floods caused by heavy rains that fell for four hours, reported the Minister of Regional Development of Brazil, Rogerio Marinho.
In four hours Petrópolisknown for its historical tourism, received the equivalent of the rains expected for the whole of February.
“We regret the six lives lost in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro. The city is suffering the consequences of heavy rains, there were 200 millimeters in the last 4 hours, causing the rivers to overflow. There are 52 avalanche points,” he said on social networks. Minister Marino.
We are in contact with the Prefecture and we will make every effort to help the victims. Our National Civil Defense is working with the state and municipal civil defenses. Determine the departure of the National Civil Defense Department, Colonel Alexandre Lucas, to the municipality. Follow ?
– Rogerio Marinho (@rogeriosmarinho) February 15, 2022
The governor of Rio de Janeiro, Claudio Castro, announced the dispatch of rescue forces and financial support to the affected population.
Other ambulances are going to help not help the victims. 120 firefighters are working and more 60 will continue to Petrópolis. Every government is mobilized to attend to the victims and help the municipality.
– Cláudio Castro (@claudiocastroRJ) February 16, 2022
Images captured by cell phones show the force of the waters and the overflowing rivers, carrying homes and cars in their wakein the midst of popular despair.
The streets of the historic center ended up flooded with many people sheltering from the flow of water on the roof of floating cars.
??#BRAZIL | Tragedy!. Several dead due to landslide and flooding due to torrential rains in the city of #Petropolisin the State of Rio de Janeiro. pic.twitter.com/zAg796xQT3
— Rochex R. Robinson Bonilla (@RochexRB27) February 16, 2022
In 2011, Petrópolis suffered one of the worst tragedies in the history of Brazil, with just over 900 dead and more than 100 missing. due to the landslide of the hills.
More than 50 people have died in recent weeks with the rains and floods in São Paulo and Minas Geraisneighboring states to Rio de Janeiro.
The Fire Department reported three missing persons. More than 120 firefighters were initially deployed to search under the mud for possible victims. A school was affected by the landslide, according to Tv Globo.
