Brazil Floods and Mudslides

February 18, 2022

Death toll from mudslides and floods in colonial-era city of Petropolis in Brazil increased to 117 on February 17, 2022 and was expected to increase further because of heavy rains in the country in almost a century.

Key Points

City recorded 6 cm of rain, resulting into more soil instability and disrupted efforts to clean up the debris and find survivors.
As per meteorologists, up to 4 cm of rain is expected overnight in the region.
Streets turned into rivers and houses swept away because of heavy storms.

Background

Brazil has been swept by heavy rains since December 2021. Rains have caused several deadly floods and landslides. In January 2022, torrential rain triggered floods and landslides, killing at least 28 people in south-eastern Brazil, specifically in Sao Paulo state. Petropolis and surrounding region were earlier hit by severe storms in January 2011, in which 900 people died due to flooding and landslides.

What is the reason of heavy rains?

As per experts, rainy season in Brazil is being augmented by La Nina which is defined as the cyclical cooling of Pacific Ocean. It is also due to impact of climate change, because warmer atmosphere holds more water. Global warming increases the risk and intensity of flooding due to extreme rainfall.

About Petropolis

Petropolis, also called as The Imperial City, is a municipality in Southeast Region of Brazil inside Rio de Janeiro state. It is located 68 kilometres northeast of Rio de Janeiro city. As per 2010 National Brazilian Census, Petropolis municipality had 295,917 inhabitants in 2010. It is the largest and most populous city in Fluminense Mountain Region. It also has the largest GDP and HDI in this region. City is considered as safest city in Rio de Janeiro and sixth safest city in Brazil. It is a popular destination for tourists, who are fleeing summer heat of Rio. It is known for leafy streets, imperial palace and stately homes as well as natural beauty of surrounding mountains.

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