Juiz de fora: At least 20 people have been killed and numerous individuals remain unaccounted for in southeastern Brazil after relentless heavy rains triggered devastating flooding and landslides, local authorities reported on Tuesday. The severe weather conditions have caused a humanitarian crisis, with more than 400 residents being forced to evacuate their homes in the state of Minas Gerais since the torrential rainfall began on Monday.
According to Jordan News Agency, the intense downpours led to a river overflowing, resulting in landslides and the collapse of several buildings across the region. The situation prompted the mayor of Juiz de Fora to declare a state of emergency as the heavy rainfall continued to impact the area. This month has recorded the highest rainfall in Juiz de Fora's history, a city that houses approximately 540,000 residents.
Lieutenant Henrique Barcelos, spokesperson for the Minas Gerais Fire Department, confirmed that rescue operations are actively addressing "flooding incidents, landslides and structural risks along riverbanks and in areas near the Paraibuna River," which has breached its banks, exacerbating the perilous conditions.