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Brazil Floods: 46 Dead, Thousands Displaced
26 Feb
Summary
- Minas Gerais floods claimed 46 lives, with 21 still missing.
- Juiz de Fora reported 40 fatalities; 3,600 residents displaced.
- Scientists link increased extreme weather events to climate change.
In southeastern Brazil's Minas Gerais state, recent catastrophic floods have tragically claimed 46 lives, with an additional 21 individuals still unaccounted for as of Wednesday. The deluge, driven by torrential rains, caused waterways to overflow and hillsides to loosen, triggering deadly mudslides that swept away homes and engulfed residents.
The town of Juiz de Fora bore the brunt of the disaster, recording 40 fatalities, while the nearby municipality of Uba reported six deaths. Approximately 3,600 residents have been displaced, forcing emergency workers to conduct ongoing search and rescue operations amidst the widespread destruction.
Survivors recount harrowing experiences, with some losing multiple family members. Officials have indicated that the chances of finding those still missing alive are diminishing. This disaster highlights the vulnerability of communities in Brazil, particularly those in informal settlements, to extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, according to scientific consensus.
