Brazil – Deadly Floods in Piauí State

At least 3 people have died and over 3,000 displaced by flooding in the state of Piauí in the northeast of Brazil.

The state government has declared a state of emergency in the capital Teresina and other municipalities including Lagoa Alegre, José de Freitas, Campo Largo do Piauí, São João do Arraial, Captain de Campos, Ilha Grande, Parnaíba and Luís Correia. The government said that heavy rain that has increased the levels of rivers, lakes and lagoons, resulting in flooding of houses and plantations and damage to roads.

The three fatalities occurred in Teresina after heavy rain fell overnight, 04 to 05 April. The Parque Rodoviário neighborhood in the southern part of the city was among the worst affected. According to national public news agency Agência Brasil, around 40 homes were damaged and dozens of people were injured in the neighborhood.

Teresina recorded more than 200mm of rain between 01 and 06 April, increasing levels of the Poti and Parnaíba Rivers.

Meanwhile in the neighbouring state of Ceara, heavy rain has caused the Coreau River to overflow flooding parts of the city of Granja.

Further south, a storm brought torrential rain to parts of Rio de Janeiro on 08 April, causing some surface flooding and wind damage.

Update: Further torrential rain in Rio de Janeiro caused the flooding to worsen. At least 10 deaths have since been reported.

Floods after a storm in Rio, 08 April 2019. Photo: Centro de Operações da Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro