Heavy Rain in Brazil Claims at Least 8 Lives Following Prolonged Drought
Authorities reported on Saturday that at least eight people have died in Brazil due to heavy rains, which have brought storms to various regions of the country. This weather pattern follows a prolonged severe drought that had led to an unprecedented surge of wildfires.
TroibNews 
At least eight individuals have lost their lives due to heavy rainfall in Brazil, as reported by authorities on Saturday. The storms have impacted various regions of the country, following an intense drought that has led to an unprecedented surge in wildfires.
Since Friday, central and southeastern Brazil have been subjected to strong winds reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour and daily rainfall accumulation of as much as 10 centimeters, according to the National Institute of Meteorology.
In Sao Paulo, the most populous state in Brazil, seven fatalities have been attributed mainly to falling trees and walls that were knocked down by powerful winds and rain, as indicated by the state civil defense.
Widespread power outages affected large areas of Sao Paulo city, with energy company Enel reporting that approximately 1.6 million residences and businesses were still without electricity.
In Brasilia, the capital, a soldier was reported dead and another injured when a tree fell while they were taking down a flag in front of the military police headquarters, according to the local command.
Reports surfaced that those inside the Chamber of Deputies, which is the lower house of Brazil's Congress, had to use umbrellas indoors due to rainwater leaking from the ceiling.
Despite the destruction, many residents welcomed the rainfall in Brasilia, as it marked a reprieve after an unprecedented stretch of more than 165 days without precipitation.
Recent months have seen Brazil experience its most severe drought since record-keeping began, which experts attribute to climate change. This dry spell has intensified wildfires throughout the country, ravaging the Amazon rainforest, injuring jaguars in the Pantanal wetlands, and enveloping major cities in smoke.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
Since Friday, central and southeastern Brazil have been subjected to strong winds reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour and daily rainfall accumulation of as much as 10 centimeters, according to the National Institute of Meteorology.
In Sao Paulo, the most populous state in Brazil, seven fatalities have been attributed mainly to falling trees and walls that were knocked down by powerful winds and rain, as indicated by the state civil defense.
Widespread power outages affected large areas of Sao Paulo city, with energy company Enel reporting that approximately 1.6 million residences and businesses were still without electricity.
In Brasilia, the capital, a soldier was reported dead and another injured when a tree fell while they were taking down a flag in front of the military police headquarters, according to the local command.
Reports surfaced that those inside the Chamber of Deputies, which is the lower house of Brazil's Congress, had to use umbrellas indoors due to rainwater leaking from the ceiling.
Despite the destruction, many residents welcomed the rainfall in Brasilia, as it marked a reprieve after an unprecedented stretch of more than 165 days without precipitation.
Recent months have seen Brazil experience its most severe drought since record-keeping began, which experts attribute to climate change. This dry spell has intensified wildfires throughout the country, ravaging the Amazon rainforest, injuring jaguars in the Pantanal wetlands, and enveloping major cities in smoke.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
