The intense rains that hit the coast of São Paulo, one of the main tourist destinations in the State during Carnival, brought death and destruction to the region since Saturday. Civil Defense asks people to avoid the area.
Until 11:00 p.m. this Sunday (19), at least 40 people had died and there were more than 200 evacuees and 300 homeless. Highways were blocked and São Sebastião declared a state of public calamity.
The city was one of the most affected, with isolated neighborhoods and road access cut off. The prefecture estimates that there are even more victims in distant communities.
Meteorologists say it was the most intense storm recorded in the country’s history in a short period of time and not associated with tropical cyclones.
According to the state government, in less than 24 hours it rained more than 600 mm at some points. This is equivalent to 600 liters of water per square meter in the period.
The Mogi-Bertioga highway, which serves the Baixada Santista, was intercepted and there was a blockade on the Río-Santos highway. In addition, the neighbors suffered an interruption in the water supply.
Translated by AZAHARA MARTIN ORTEGA
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