Death toll from Brazil floods and landslides reaches 57

The death toll reached 57 on February 26 according to the official figures. Heavy rainfall has devastated the coastal area of Brazil’s southeastern Sao Paulo state.

Unexpected heavy precipitation has caused landslides and flooding in coastal towns of Brazil’s richest state since last weekend. According to the Sao Paulo government, rescue efforts are continuing with dozens still missing, and more than 4,000 people were forced from their homes. The local government also alerted tourists not to visit cities in the region, to avoid overcrowding in hospitals, roads, and the supply of basic amenities. 

On February 25, the Brazilian Navy Ship arrived in Sao Sebastiao to help rescue victims. The ship will be serving as an emergency field mobile hospital, with equipped helicopters and other landing vehicles, as well as hospital beds and other necessities.

This all being a cause of historic amounts of precipitation, in which some areas saw nearly twice as much rain as is usual for the season. Long-term change in the statistics of weather over periods, without noticing any severe pattern is a matter of serious concern to the Brazilian government in the past, which has vowed to address the changes in weather patterns

Regional Development Minister Waldez Goes affirmed the President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to have no communication gap between local officials and ensure all the services being provided to the affected citizens. 

“The government will also work to ‘restore and rebuild the city’”, Goes added.