The collapse of a building in the Independência neighborhood, in Petrópolis, in the Serrana region of Rio, left three people dead and two missing, according to the Rio de Janeiro State Government and Petrópolis City Hall. The municipality’s Civil Defense, in a statement released at 7:45 pm, reports that the 15th Fire Department Group (GBM) managed to rescue four victims alive.
The municipality also reports that, until 7:45 pm this Friday (22), there were 109 recorded incidents due to the heavy rain that has fallen in the city since yesterday (21), 75 of which were landslides.
According to the National Center for Natural Disaster Monitoring and Alerts (Cemaden), an accumulation of 196 mm was recorded in 12 hours, almost the amount predicted for 24 hours of rain.
There were occurrences of landslides that affected properties and roads in the neighborhoods of Araras, Independência, São Sebastião, Itamarati, Quitandinha, Estrada da Saudade, Castelanea, Retiro, Centro, Valparaíso, Duarte da Silveira, Itaipava, Roseiral. With the large volume of water, access to Petrópolis was closed on BR-040 and several streets were flooded. Quintandinha and Piabanha rivers overflowed.
Crisis stage
The municipality reported that it is in a crisis stage, the most serious in its scale of operational stages. The city hall has provided 67 support points where people who feel unsafe in their homes or who live in risky areas can stay safely until the rain subsides. Sirens were activated by the Civil Defense in areas with the highest rainfall, where rivers overflowed, such as Rua do Imperador and Rua Coronel Veiga. In the locations, gate systems were activated. The areas will only be released when traffic is possible.
The forecast for the next few hours in the city is cloudy to overcast with moderate to very heavy rain. The operational stage is alert. Civil Defense recommends that the population in risk areas remain alert, and above all, that they do not remain in closed areas. ”Avoid flooded areas and pay attention to signs of landslides. In case of emergency, call 199”, he advised.