The annual carnival celebrations in Brazil have been disrupted by devastating floods and landslides that have ravaged the coastal areas of south-eastern state of São Paulo, claiming dozens of lives and leaving many more missing. As rescue efforts continue, officials are working tirelessly to clear roads, reconnect isolated communities, and search for survivors.
Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, visited the affected city of São Sebastião on Monday, expressing his deepest condolences to the families of the victims. “Sometimes nature takes us by surprise, but sometimes we also tempt nature,” he said, emphasizing the need to stop building homes in areas prone to landslides and major floods.
The disaster has left hundreds of people displaced, with many trapped in areas inaccessible by land. Authorities have declared a 180-day state of calamity for six cities, including São Sebastião, Ubatuba, Ilhabela, and Bertioga, which has been hardest hit by the disaster.
The rescue efforts were hindered by heavy rain, which continued to batter the region, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach affected areas. The SP-55 highway, a major road connecting the affected cities, was blocked by a landslide, and officials were unable to assess the extent of the damage due to the treacherous conditions.
Carnival Celebrations in Brazil Halted Amid Devastating Floods and LandslidesThe northern coast of São Paulo state, where the disaster occurred, is a popular carnival destination for tourists. Many of these tourists are now stranded, with no clear information on when they will be able to leave the region. Meanwhile, the São Paulo state government has canceled carnival activities in the affected cities, as rescuers continue to dig through the rubble and search for survivors.
The disaster has been described by experts as an unprecedented extreme weather event, with over 60 centimeters of rain falling in a single day – one of the highest amounts ever recorded in Brazil in such a short period. The state’s governor, Tarcísio de Freitas, has requested support from the army, which has sent planes and rescue teams to the region.
As the rescue efforts continue, officials are working to update the death toll, which currently stands at 36 people, with dozens more missing. The governor has announced three days of mourning for the victims of the disaster, saying, “I ask God to comfort the hearts of these families. We will keep working and we will not rest until all the displaced and homeless people are safe.”
Operations at Santos, Latin America’s busiest container port, were also affected by the disaster, with wind gusts exceeding 34mph and waves over 1 meter high on Saturday. The extent of the damage to the main road linking the port to Rio de Janeiro remains unclear, with the governor suggesting that it may have been completely destroyed.