ÜFloods and landslides claimed at least 36 lives in Brazil over the carnival weekend. In São Sebastião alone in the south-east of the country, 35 people died, as the government of the state of São Paulo announced on Sunday (local time). Another was reported from Ubatuba. According to the head of Brazilian civil protection, Henuel Pereira, significantly more victims are to be expected. “Unfortunately, there will be many more deaths,” Pereira told the Folha de São Paulo newspaper.
Heavy rains had caused flooding and landslides along the state’s Atlantic coast since Saturday. Rescue workers searched for other victims with the help of helicopters, among other things. Governor Tarcísio de Freitas declared a state of emergency in São Sebastião and other affected communities. Some cities canceled annual carnival celebrations.
According to the city administration, 60 centimeters of rain fell in São Sebastião within 24 hours. That’s double the amount that typically falls in a full month.
According to the information, more than 330 people lost their homes and some roads were blocked. According to media reports, children were also among the dead. There was particularly heavy rainfall in the affected region. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced on Twitter that he would visit the areas on Monday.
In the midst of the sad events, there were also “two miracles”, the government of São Paulo tweeted. A trapped two-year-old child and a pregnant woman in labor and her baby were rescued.