Flooding in Brazil
The intense rainfall from 15th January night into 16th January 2025 Thursday morning brought widespread flooding and major disruptions to the municipalities of Balneário Camboriú, Itajaí, and Camboriú in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. A state of emergency was declared by the government after intense rains led to widespread inundation of homes and roads.
Dubbed “Brazil’s Dubai,” Balneário Camboriú saw nearly 6cm of rain overnight, causing major disruptions and road closures. A shopping centre was also heavily damaged and shuttered as a result of the flooding. The municipalities of Balneário Camboriú, Itajaí, and Camboriú were among the hardest hit. The overnight downpours on January 16, 2025, caused severe flooding, disrupting daily life and causing substantial property damage.
In Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, heavy rains led to flooding even in higher elevation areas, exacerbating the situation for residents. The persistent rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems, resulting in waterlogged streets and neighborhoods. The Brazilian government and local authorities mobilized emergency services to assist affected communities, providing relief and coordinating evacuation efforts where necessary. Despite these efforts, the floods caused significant disruptions, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.
This series of floods in January 2025 underscores the pressing need for improved infrastructure and disaster preparedness in southern Brazil to mitigate the impacts of future natural disasters. For a visual overview of the flooding in Santa Catarina, you can watch the following video:
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