Heavy rain in south eastern Brazil has caused a deadly landslide in São Sebastião, São Paulo State, and widespread flooding in the streets of Rio de Janeiro city, where some areas saw over 90mm of rain in 4 hours.
São Paulo
The heavy rain began to fall on 28 February 2016. Two people died after they were buried in a landslide in the Boicucanga neighbourhood of São Sebastião on 29 February. The landslide destroyed several homes, leaving at least 11 people homeless. A total of 27 people were evacuated.
Agência Brasil say that a total of 7 people have died in landslides in the state since December.
The heavy rain also caused surface flooding in Baixada Santista on the coast of São Paulo state. Local civil defence personnel were called in to help carry out some evacuations.
Rio de Janeiro
Agência Brasil are also reporting that torrential rain on 29 February caused widespread surface flooding in many parts of Rio de Janeiro, paralysing traffic and disrupting flights at Santos Dumont Airport.
The worst affected areas include the favela of Rocinha, which recorded 96 mm of rain in just 4 hours. The news agency says that Alto da Boa Vista saw 93.8 mm of rain, Jardim Botânico 77.8 mm and Urca 74.8 mm.
Warning Sirens
No deaths or injuries have been reported. The Civil Defence for Rio de Janeiro municipality sounded emergency sirens in the districts of Chapéu Mangueira and Babilônia. The sirens are used once rainfall levels reach above 50 mm or more in one hour, and warn residents of potential floods and landslides, and to prepare to evacuate their homes. Civil defence say that rainfall levels reached 62.4 mm in one hour in affected areas.
Acionadas as sirenes 62,4mm chuva em 1 hora: comunidades Babilônia e Chapéu Mangueira 16:45. Verifique sinais de rachaduras. Emergência 199
— Defesa Civil DCRJ (@RioDefesaCivil) February 29, 2016
