Death toll from Brazil floods rises to 46 as rescue efforts continue

Death toll from Brazil floods rises to 46 as rescue efforts continue
Reuters

The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state has risen to 46, authorities said, with 21 people still reported missing. The storms triggered landslides and widespread flooding, displacing thousands across Juiz de Fora and Uba.

Rescue teams have recovered victims and continue searching for missing residents. The injured have been taken to local hospitals for treatment. Authorities have launched investigations to assess the full impact of the disaster.

Officials warned that more heavy rain is expected in the coming days, raising concerns about additional landslides and flooding. Juiz de Fora’s mayor, Margarida Salomao, urged residents in high-risk areas to evacuate to emergency shelters.

Brazil is currently experiencing its peak rainy season, which typically lasts from December to March, bringing intense downpours, floods, and mudslides. This February was recorded as the rainiest in Juiz de Fora’s history, with rainfall already more than double the monthly average.

The disaster is the latest in a series of extreme weather events in Brazil, including floods in 2024 and 2022, which collectively claimed hundreds of lives and affected millions.

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