Record flooding affects more than 100 000 people in Acre, northwestern Brazil

More than 100 000 people have been affected by severe flooding in Acre, northwestern Brazil, after multiple rivers overflowed and reached record levels around Friday, February 19, 2021. Authorities have declared the situation an emergency, saying the state is facing one of its most challenging times in history.

In Cruzeiro do Sul,  the Jurua River reached record levels of 14.31 m (46.94 feet) on Friday, smashing the previous high of 14.24 m (46.71 feet) set in February 2017. Around 33 000 people have fled their homes in the municipality.

In Sena Madureira, the Laco River hit 18.04 m (59.18 feet), well above the flood stage level of 15.2 m (49.8 feet).  About 18 000 people have been affected by inundations across the municipality.

On Saturday, February 20, around 28 000 people have been affected after the Tarauaca River reached 11.05 m (26.25 feet), which was above the flood stage of 9.5 m (31.2 feet).

In Fejio, more than 3 200 people were impacted after the Envira River jumped to 14.25 m (46.75 feet), surpassing the 14 m (46 feet) flood stage.

In Santa Rosa do Purus, the Purus River hit 9.46 m (31.03 feet) exceeding the flood stage of 9 m (29.5 feet). More than 1 500 people have been affected, although levels have dipped under 7 m (22.96 feet).

Meanwhile, the Acre River in Rio Branco stood at 15.64 m (51.31 feet), surpassing the flood stage of 14 m (45.9 feet), which affected 2 700 families.

Julie Celestial

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