- 10 dead after surprise rainfall leads to landslides
- 8 inches of rain fell on Sunday morning
- City was unprepared for the intensity of the rainfall
- At least 150 left homeless
Landslides kill 10 in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state
At least 10 people have lost their lives in landslides caused by heavy rainfall in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state. The Bethania neighbourhood in Ipatinga was hit hardest by the disaster, which was triggered by 204mm (8 inches) of rain that fell on Sunday morning.
Landslides are a recurring danger during Brazil’s rainy season, particularly in areas where homes are precariously built on steep hillsides. The sudden intensity of the rainfall left residents unprepared, said Ipatinga Mayor Gustavo Nunes, who declared a state of emergency in the city.
In Ipatinga, at least nine people have been confirmed dead, while another fatality was reported in the nearby town of Santana do Paraíso, about a 30-minute drive away. The landslides have also left at least 150 people homeless.
The devastation extended to infrastructure, with Ipatinga’s health centre among the buildings damaged by the mudslides, according to the city’s health minister. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the unexpected deluge, as emergency responders work to aid survivors and assess the damage.