Dam failure triggers flooding in Ponte Alta do Bom Jesus, Tocantins, Brazil

A dam in Ponte Alta do Bom Jesus, southeast of Tocantins, Brazil, suffered a partial failure on the morning of December 19, 2025.

Heavy rainfall in Ponte Alta do Bom Jesus, southeast of Tocantins, caused breach in a privately owned dam on December 19, triggering widespread flooding in the area. The failed around 08:50 local time, during work to close the spillway, affecting around two meters of the crest of the structure.

Much of the surrounding area was submerged by the large volume of water damaging homes, trees, and other structures in the region.

Firefighters from the 6th Independent Military Fire Company immediately rushed to the scene to carry out preliminary rescue and monitoring work, reported CPG.

Feature image credit: Mischa von Jadczak

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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