After more than a month of rain, at least 117 people have been killed in the aftermath of floods and mudslides that struck Petropolis on Tuesday.
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro compared Brazil’s colonial-era capital of Petropolis to a warzone after mudslides, floods and deaths of at least 117 people. There are hundreds of rescuers still searching for the rubble.
I saw intense destruction. Bolsonaro, who was flying over the disaster that had struck the town in the mountains north Rio de Janeiro after it was ravaged by torrential rains, said that it looked almost like there was a war.
Officials stated that there were many people still missing Friday, and that the death rate would rise further as the region recovers from the worst rainfall in almost a century.
I’m here to find my wife. I’m sure she’s here. Marcelo Barbosa, a resident, stated that her downstairs neighbor said she was on the balcony at the time of the mudslide.
Leandro Monteiro, Rio de Janeiros civil defense head, is one of more than 500 rescue workers. He is also joined by relatives and neighbours of the victims who are still looking for survivors.
More than 500 rescue workers, relatives and neighbours of victims are still looking for survivors [Ricardo Moraes/Reuters]I have lived here for 44 years, and never witnessed anything like it. Maria Jose Dante de Araujo, resident said that all my friends are gone.
Bolsonaro pledged federal assistance for the people and to start rebuilding the region.
This development comes at a crucial time for Bolsonaro who is likely to run for reelection in October. His low approval rating since January 2019 is partly due to his response in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, which has left Brazil with a death rate of over 600,000, second in the world.
This leaves him in a vulnerable situation ahead of his likely election bid. He will be facing off against Luiz Inacio Lula Silva, former President, who, according to early opinion polls, has a significant lead.
Over 700 people had to flee their homes to seek refuge in schools or other temporary accommodation. Claudio Castro, Rios Governor compared the affected region to a warzone.
President Jair Bolsonaro pledged federal assistance to the population and help with rebuilding. [Ricardo Moraes/Reuters]As more victims were being brought in, the local morgue was forced into using a refrigerated vehicle as a backup. Other bodies were still waiting to be identified by their families.
The Tuesday downpour, which was more than the average for February, caused mudslides, which flooded streets and destroyed homes, washed away cars, buses, and left gashes hundreds and metres across the mountainsides.
It was the highest rainfall since 1932 in Petropolis state, which is a tourist spot in the hills of Rio de Janeiro state. The Imperial City is the name of the city, which was the summer home of Brazilian royalty in the 19th Century.
I don’t even know what words to use. Im devastated. We are all distraught for what we have lost for our neighbors, our friends, and for our homes. Luci Vieira Dos Santos asked Luci Vieira if she could help others who have lost their homes.
