Tragedy strikes in Rio as torrential rain leaves over 100 dead
By Stephen Messenger, Porto Alegre, Brazil on 04. 7.10 Between 8pm Monday night and 8am yesterday morning, almost twice as much rain fell on Rio de Janeiro than was expected for the entire month of April. Early reports have yet to assess the total number of casualties brought about by this highly unusual weather, but currently the death toll stands at over 100, with many more injured. The rains have collapsed buildings, triggered mudslides, and flooded thoroughfares. Thousands are left homeless. Officials have scrambled to maintain order, but as the rain continues to fall, some are beginning to wonder if climate change is to blame. The governor of Rio, Sergio Cabral, says that the biggest losses of life were due to mudslides in the city’s poor, hillside communities, called favelas. In these regions, building regulations are virtually nonexistent and addressing safety concerns is difficult. Cabral criticized past administrations “who, by demagogy allowed in the past, high-risk areas to be occupied.” According to authorities, many other hillsides in Rio face a similar threat of landslides. As streets flooded, traveling through the city became impossible for some. Many people who were unable to return home slept in their offices and shops. Cabral urged citizens to stay home yesterday, which is being credited for saving lives since rescue personnel could move more quickly through the remaining passable roadways. Still, thousands are without power as emergency workers continue to sift through the mud for survivors. Officials are calling for vigilance as Brazil’s National Meteorological Institute reports that the forecast is for more rain. Weather extremes in Brazil have become a reality in recent years, as the country has faced record-breaking rains in some regions and long, devastating droughts in others. Often, when such unusual weather struck in years past, El Niño was assigned the blame. But this most recent storm is occurring after this year’s El Niño had passed with average intensity. After experiencing the latest round of extreme weather, some in Brazil wonder if this may be symptomatic of climate change. …
