To the rains on the north coast of São Paulo have already left 49 dead up to this afternoon, February 23rd. The information is from the State Government, which also announced that more than 3,500 people are displaced in the region due to floods and landslides.
The tragedy is a reflection of the intense storm that occurred in the early hours of last Sunday (16), which had 624 mm of rain in 24 hours, spreading destruction and several victims.
The municipality of São Sebastião, especially in Barra do Sahy, was the hardest hit by the rains, to the point that it received a state of attention, as it should receive another 35 mm of precipitation in the next few hours.
Army and firefighters isolated the area to be able to look for more survivors and insert excavators and other machines to remove the bodies if necessary. Medical stations were set up at the site to care for the victims.
Still according to government data, around R$ 660,000 in resources have already been raised in donations for the acquisition of basic food baskets and blankets for victims of the rains.
Do not stop now... There's more after the publicity ;)
Floods
To the floods are a natural phenomenon that occur when the water flowing in a river reaches the maximum limit of the smaller bed and passes to the larger bed, still remaining inside the channel.
To the floods in Brazil occur more frequently between the months of October and March, which is considered the wettest period in the country. In recent times, these phenomena have become more constant, causing tragedies such as the rains on the north coast of São Paulo, especially in the municipality of São Sebastião.
Check below the main causes of floods in Brazil:
urbanization process of the fast-paced and disorderly country;
Expansion of Brazilian cities;
Rural exodus, which consists of the definitive migration of individuals from the rural area to urban area;
Lack of urban planning;
Construction of land in places of greater risk, such as hills and river floodplains;
Soil waterproofing due to the increase in paved areas;
inappropriate disposal of urban garbage;
Inadequate drainage systems, with storm drains and manholes in less than ideal quantities;
Logging and removal of riparian forest.
to avoid the landslidein Brazil, it is necessary to take measures such as: avoiding the planting of large and heavy trees on slopes, create channels for water drainage and do not cut slopes without the prior authorization of the authorities public.
The guidance for the population is that, if you notice areas of exposed soil without protection on a slope, ask the Civil Defense to cover these places with plastic or another type of barrier to protect the soil in case of rains.
landslides
You landslides in Brazil usually occur during summer, which covers the months of December, January, February and March. This season is considered the wettest in the country.
The South and Southeast regions concentrate the largest number of areas at high risk of landslides. One of the most affected areas is the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro. In 2011, landslides in this region left more than 900 dead and 35,000 people homeless.
See below the main reasons for landslides due to rains in Brazil:
Natural order;
Disorderly urbanization, that is, without planning;
Buildings on the slopes of hills and mountains;
Logging.
To prevent landslides in Brazil, measures can be adopted such as: avoiding the removal of vegetation from hills, do not plant heavy trees with short roots, dispose of garbage properly and create channels for the drainage of water.
Image credit:
[1] Rovena Rosa l Agência Brasil
By Silvia Tancredi
Journalist
