At least eight people have lost their lives in Brazil following heavy rains that battered the country amid a severe drought. The Central and southeastern regions have been hit hard since Friday, experiencing winds up to 100 km/h and daily rainfall reaching 10 centimeters, according to the National Institute of Meteorology.
In SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil's most populous state, seven fatalities have been reported. The victims were mainly due to falling trees and walls toppled by the violent storms, as stated by the state civil defense. The city has also faced significant power outages, with energy firm Enel confirming that around 1.6 million homes and businesses are still without electricity.
BrasĂlia, the capital, witnessed a tragic incident where a soldier was killed and another injured when a tree fell while they were removing a flag in front of the military police headquarters, the local command reported. Officials inside the Chamber of Deputies had to use umbrellas indoors as rainwater leaked through the roof.
Despite the destruction, many residents in BrasĂlia welcomed the heavy downpours, marking a relief after more than 165 days without rain. Brazil has been grappling with its worst drought on record in recent months, a situation experts link to climate change. The prolonged dry spell has ignited wildfires across the nation, devastating the Amazon rainforest, harming wildlife in the Pantanal wetlands, and blanketing major cities with smoke.
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At least 8 dead as heavy rain thrashes Brazil after long drought
cgtn.com
