According to the government, at least 44 people have died from torrential rains in the northeastern Brazil region of Recife since Tuesday. Reports of missing persons were made.
“According to the most recent information I have, 44 dead, 56 missing and 25 injured, 3,957 homeless, and 533 displaced have been registered,” Daniel Ferreira, Regional Development Minister, stated at a Recife press conference.
Floods and landslides have caused the loss of homes for more than 1,500 people. Jair Bolsonaro, President of Brazil, tweeted on Saturday his condolences to the victims and solidarity. He stated that he had decided to send troops from the Ministry of Defense to assist in relief operations and to provide assistance to the families affected.
This is Recife in Brazil yesterday. This is not a natural catastrophe! This could have been avoided and it will happen again if there is no action taken. https://t.co/tzfSCJHKqD
19 people died in a “large land slide” in Jardim Monteverde on Saturday morning. This is near the border of Recife and Jaboatao dos Guararapes. Another landslide occurred in Camaragibe, resulting in six deaths. Two people died in Recife, and one in Jaboatao Dos Guararapes.
14 people died in floods or landslides last month in the same state. Authorities said that among the victims was a mother and six of her children who were killed in a landslide that destroyed their home. Global warming is increasing the likelihood and severity of extreme precipitation events due to global warming, as a warmer environment can also be wetter.
