Extremely heavy rain, deadly floods and landslides hit São Paulo, Brazil
Featured image: Rescue operations in Sao Paulo, Brazil after extremely heavy rain on March 10 and 11, 2019. Credit: RT
At least 12 people have died and 6 have been injured after extremely heavy rain, floods and landslides hit the state of São Paulo, Brazil on March 10 and 11, 2019. Floodwaters inundated several areas of the city of São Paulo (population 14.7 million), blocked major roads and caused severe traffic disruption. More heavy rain is expected across the country in the days and weeks ahead.
State officials said the region received 182 mm (7.16 inches) of rain in 24 hours to March 11, which is the equivalent of 80% of the March Average. São Bernardo do Campo and Ribeirão Pires recorded over 70% of the March average rainfall in just 24 hours.
According to São Paulo Fire Department, at least 12 people have died and 6 have been injured. Four people died in the city of Ribeirao Pires after their house collapsed, three people drowned in São Caetano, two in Santo Andre and one each in Sao Bernardo do Campo and São Paulo. A landslide hit Embu das Artes, claiming the life of one person.
The worst-hit areas are reportedly south and east of São Paulo city, the municipality of São Bernardo do Campo and nearby cities of Ribeirão Pires and Suzano.
The heavy rain caused the Tamanduateí River, which runs through southeastern parts of the city, to overflow, affecting areas around São Caetano do Sul in particular, according to FloodList.
Rescues and evacuations have been carried out and the Fire Department has attended 1 267 interventions related to the rains.
More heavy rain is expected over the region in the days and weeks ahead:
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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