New Delhi: At least 26 people died on Sunday in two cities in north Sao Paulo state in Brazil due to floods and landslides, according to authorities, reported news agency AP.
The city hall of Sao Sebastiao said 25 people died and the mayor of Ubatuba confirmed that a 7-year-old girl was killed. The authorities said the number is expected to rise.
The worst-hit cities include Sao Sebastiao, Ubatuba, Ilhabela, and Bertioga, which canceled their Carnival festivities due to calamity as rescue teams are engaged in looking for missing, injured, and those dead in the rubble.
“Our rescue teams are not managing to get to several locations; it is a chaotic situation, said Felipe Augusto,” the report quoted the mayor of Sao Sebastiao. The mayor added dozens of people missing are missing and around 50 houses collapsed in the city due to the landslides.
Augusto shared the plight on his social media channels by posting several videos of widespread destruction in his city.
Em toque-toque Grande, a situação está caótica! pic.twitter.com/irUiLlT4tZ
— Prefeito Felipe Augusto (@prefeitoFA) February 19, 2023
One of the videos showed a baby being rescued by locals stranded on a flooded street.
Imagens tristes da tragédia aqui em São Sebastião/SP pic.twitter.com/n9yIDl92CH
— Prefeito Felipe Augusto (@prefeitoFA) February 19, 2023
Meanwhile, Brazil’s President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva on Twitter informed he will visit the affected region on Monday. In a statement, the Sao Paulo state government said precipitation in the area has surpassed 600 millimeters in one day. It is said to be one of the highest amounts of rainfall received in Brazil in such a short period.
Bertioga alone received 687 millimeters during that period, the state government said.
Governor Tarcisio de Freitas said on requesting support from the army, the region received two airplanes and rescue teams. Houses can be seen flooded with only the roof visible in TV footage. Residents are resorting to small boats for transporting items and people to safe positions. A road that connects Rio de Janeiro to the port city of Santos was blocked by landslides and floodwaters.
The northern coast of Sao Paulo state is a preferred Carnival destination for wealthy tourists who visit the region moving away from massive street parties in big cities.
