Deadly Floods in Brazil Claim 53 Lives as More Heavy Rain Threatens Region

Severe flooding and landslides in Brazil's Minas Gerais state have killed 53 people, with 15 still missing as rescue efforts continue. Additional heavy rainfall overnight has worsened conditions, forcing road closures and business shutdowns while emergency crews search for survivors.

Emergency crews in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state are working around the clock to locate survivors after devastating floods and landslides claimed 53 lives, with conditions worsening Thursday following another night of torrential rainfall.

Search and rescue operations entered their third day since the disaster struck late Monday evening, triggering deadly landslides, home collapses, and widespread flooding that forced schools to close throughout the region.

According to the state’s fire department, 15 individuals remain unaccounted for while more than 230 people have been successfully rescued from the affected areas.

Brazil’s national weather service, Inmet, issued warnings Thursday morning predicting additional severe weather with powerful winds, cautioning residents about potential electrical outages, falling tree limbs, flash flooding, and dangerous lightning.

“This morning, all the shops in the city center are being cleaned again. The storm on Monday already caused damage, and early this morning there was even more damage,” said Rev. Ananias Simões, a pastor at a church in Juiz de Fora, the hardest-hit city.

The fatalities have occurred in two communities – Juiz de Fora and Uba – located approximately 310 kilometers (192 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro.

Simões, whose congregation is serving as a shelter and supply center for displaced residents, explained that numerous roadways have been blocked due to forecasts calling for continued heavy precipitation. Despite transportation challenges, he intended to travel to the city’s severely damaged northern area to distribute food and drinking water.

“The situation is very chaotic,” he said. “Everyone is doing their utmost to make sure everyone stays safe.”

Fire officials are urging citizens to inspect their properties for structural damage or collapse risks, including wall cracks and bulging, foundation fissures, and doors or windows that won’t open properly. Outdoors, residents should watch for muddy water flowing down slopes, tilting trees and power lines, and unusual cracking sounds from the earth – all indicating immediate hazards.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced Tuesday through social media that security personnel have been mobilized for rescue operations and are delivering emergency aid to storm-affected communities.

Climate researchers note that severe weather events are occurring with greater frequency as a result of human-driven climate change.

Catastrophic flooding struck Brazil’s southern Rio Grande do Sul state in May 2024, killing at least 185 people and devastating the region’s economic infrastructure, including retail stores, manufacturing facilities, and agricultural operations. Economic damages exceeded 10 billion reais ($1.9 billion).