Recife: Heavy rains have triggered severe flooding and landslides across northeastern Brazil, leaving multiple people dead and forcing thousands from their homes in the states of Pernambuco and Paraíba.
In Recife, the capital of Pernambuco, authorities confirmed at least two fatalities after floodwaters and landslides struck several areas. Two more deaths were reported in nearby Olinda, as relentless rainfall overwhelmed infrastructure and inundated low-lying neighbourhoods.
Officials said around 1,500 residents have been displaced in Pernambuco alone, with emergency services working to assist those affected. In neighbouring Paraíba, the situation has also been difficult. The state capital João Pessoa, and the inland city of Campina Grande were among the hardest hit. At least two people were confirmed dead in the state, while another 1,500 people were displaced due to flooding and storm damage.
Brazil’s National Centre for Risk and Disaster Management reported issuing 22 emergency alerts during the period of intense rainfall. The agency raised its operational status to maximum alert, citing ongoing impacts in Pernambuco and Paraíba, along with continued weather risks in the region.
Although rainfall began to ease, authorities have urged residents to remain cautious amid the possibility of further hazards, including landslides and rising water levels. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he had spoken with local officials to coordinate federal assistance. Lula da Silva remarked that, “The government continues to monitor the situation to provide all necessary support.”
The latest disaster highlights a growing trend of extreme weather events in Brazil. A recent study by the Brazilian Alliance for Ocean Culture found that rain-related disasters, including floods and landslides, have tripled in the country between 1991 and 2023.
Brazil has faced a series of deadly weather events in recent years. In February, at least 64 people were killed in flooding and landslides in Minas Gerais. In 2024, catastrophic flooding in Rio Grande do Sul claimed at least 183 lives. Earlier, in 2022, floods in Petrópolis killed 233 people, followed just months later by heavy rains in Recife that left at least 130 dead.
Authorities continue to monitor conditions closely as recovery efforts begin and communities assess the scale of the damage.
POPULAR | US Embassy issues security alert in UK after threat level raised
