The heaviest rainfall in many years triggered the catastrophic landslides in Brazil. More than 100 people are still missing.
Petrópolis – After landslides and floods caused by heavy rain, the death toll in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro has risen to at least 176.
This was reported by the Brazilian news portal “G1”, citing the fire brigade on Monday – and spoke of the “biggest disaster in the history of the city”.
Founded in 1825 and shaped by German immigrants, Petrópolis was once the summer residence of the Brazilian imperial family. Today, the city is a popular vacation spot for Rio residents due to its high altitude and cool climate during the southern hemisphere summer months.
According to “G1”, another 117 people were still missing on Monday. The search is repeatedly hampered by wind and persistent rain. Almost 1000 people became homeless.
According to the weather station Climatempo, last Tuesday it rained more in six hours than had been expected for the whole month of February. Slopes slid, streets were flooded, cars and even buses were swept away by the water masses. “It was the worst rain in Petrópolis since 1932,” said Rio de Janeiro state governor Cláudio Castro. dpa
