Around 300 people have been displaced after torrential rainfall in the city of Sanharo in Pernambuco, a state in northeast Brazil.
According to the state’s water and climate agency – Agência Pernambucana de Águas e Clima (APAC) – almost 289mm of rain fell in 24 hours to 03 November. The average annual rainfall for the city is around 644mm.
Media in Brazil reported that the city government declared a state of emergency. Around 300 people evacuated their homes, mostly in the Salgado neighbourhood of the city, and were temporarily housed in local schools and gyms.
Mayor of Sanharó, Heraldo Oliveira visited affected areas on 03 November. Photos of flood-damaged homes suggest flood water was up to 1.5 metres deep.
According to APAC, other areas of the state saw some heavy rainfall during the same 24 hour period, including Ingazeira with 132mm of rain, São João 142mm, Buíque 120mm and Correntes 115mm.
Social Media
Large flooding issues in Sanharó, Brazil 🇧🇷
Almost half a year’s worth of rain fell in 24 hours.
288.8 mm accumulated by 9:10 am this morning. The annual historical average is 644 mm according to the Pernambuco Water and Climate Agency (Apac).pic.twitter.com/HwWgzZI3FG
— Scott Duncan (@ScottDuncanWX) November 3, 2020
Galera de Sanharó e região, o momento é de união, tivemos boa parte da nossa cidade inundada, muitas pessoas perderam tudo, precisamos de doações, toda ajuda é bem vinda. Oremos por nossa Sanharo. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/wYffeh4N6s
— a maga (@AyanneAlm) November 3, 2020
