Severe floods in southeast Brazil kill at least 25 and force hundreds to evacuate

Devastating floods in southeastern Brazil have claimed at least 25 lives and left dozens missing in Minas Gerais state, as authorities scramble to manage the crisis amid warnings of more rainfall. The disaster, which began Monday in the cities of Juiz de Fora and Uba, has forced approximately 440 residents to evacuate their homes.

Rescue teams from Minas Gerais’ fire department are currently searching for 43 people who have been reported missing since late Monday. Video footage released by emergency services shows severe flooding throughout both affected cities, with one river completely overflowing its banks and veering off course.

Juiz de Fora, a city of 560,000 residents, has been particularly hard hit. Local officials report the area has received double the expected rainfall for the entire month of February in just a matter of days. Mayor Margarida Salomão confirmed at least 20 landslides have occurred throughout the city, compounding the disaster’s impact.

The neighboring city of Uba, with a population of 107,000, is also grappling with severe flooding and infrastructure damage. Emergency management officials have issued urgent warnings for residents to avoid areas susceptible to mudslides as saturated soil continues to pose significant risks.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva addressed the crisis on social media, stating that security forces are actively engaged in rescue operations and providing immediate assistance to affected populations. The federal government has mobilized additional resources to support local emergency response efforts.

The geography of the region, characterized by hills, valleys and steep slopes, makes it particularly vulnerable to flash flooding and landslides during heavy rainfall events. This topography is now complicating rescue efforts as teams navigate dangerous conditions to reach victims.

Demetrius Bastos Goulart, a 47-year-old firefighter involved in the rescue operations, described the challenging nature of their work. “It is a high volume of mud in the landslides, we have to work with a lot of precision to avoid any damage to potential victims,” Goulart explained. The meticulous nature of the search means recovery efforts will likely be prolonged.

Further complicating matters, Brazil’s meteorology institute Inmet has issued forecasts indicating additional rainfall is expected in the coming days. This has raised concerns about potential secondary disasters and further complications for rescue and recovery operations.

The flooding represents the latest in a series of extreme weather events to affect Brazil’s southeastern region in recent years. Climate experts have noted increasing rainfall intensity in parts of Brazil, consistent with global climate change projections that forecast more frequent and severe precipitation events in tropical regions.

For the cities of Juiz de Fora and Uba, the economic impact will likely be substantial. Infrastructure damage, business closures, and agricultural losses are expected to create significant recovery challenges in the weeks and months ahead.

Emergency shelters have been established in both cities to accommodate displaced residents. Local authorities are coordinating with national disaster management agencies to ensure supplies of clean water, food, and medical assistance reach those affected by the disaster.

The Brazilian military has deployed engineering units to assist with emergency infrastructure repairs and to help restore access to isolated communities cut off by floodwaters and landslides.

As search and rescue operations continue, authorities are urging residents throughout Minas Gerais state to remain vigilant, monitor emergency alerts, and prepare for potential evacuation if conditions worsen with the anticipated additional rainfall.