Heavy rain in northeastern Brazil leads to deadly floods and landslides

Heavy rain affecting northeastern Brazil last week has caused flooding and landslides in at least 5 municipalities of Ceará State, resulting in the deaths of three people and the displacement of dozens. The landslides destroyed homes and forced residents to evacuate, while local governments have declared a state of emergency. The neighboring state of Maranhão has also declared a state of emergency for 20 municipalities.

Ceará State in northeastern Brazil has experienced heavy rainfall leading to flooding and landslides in at least 5 municipalities. The situation has resulted in three fatalities and dozens of people displaced from their homes.

According to reports, the landslide caused by heavy rainfall in Aratuba destroyed a home and killed three members of the same family on March 16, 2023. The Municipal Prefecture of Aratuba issued a statement expressing regret over the incident and promised full support for the families of the victims and survivors. A three-day period of mourning was declared, and the state governor Elmano de Freitas visited the area on March 17 to assess the situation.

Due to the flood and landslide threats, over 30 families in Itapipoca City were pre-emptively evacuated from their homes on March 17. Local governments in Guaramiranga, Itapipoca, Missão Velha, Aratuba and Uruburetama have declared a state of emergency.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring state of Maranhão, 20 municipalities have been declared under a state of emergency due to heavy rainfall. Reports have indicated that several communities were left isolated after flooding along the Pericumã River near Pinheiro on March 16. Flooding was also reported in Imperatriz near the Tocantins River.

References:

¹ Brazil – Landslides and floods – DG ECHO – March 21, 2023

² Brazil – Three People Killed in Landslide in Ceará State – FloodList – March 20, 2023

Featured image credit: State Government of Ceará