• At least 32 dead and multiple missing in southeastern Brazil floods.
• Heavy rain continues to threaten rescue operations in Minas Gerais.
• Thousands displaced as homes are destroyed and shelters are established.

Severe flooding in southeastern Brazil has resulted in at least 32 deaths and left many people missing in the state of Minas Gerais. The floods have primarily affected cities like Juiz de Fora and Ubá, where landslides swept away homes, impacting the lives of hundreds. Rescue operations are actively searching for those unaccounted for, with officials reporting at least 40 people missing, including some who were buried under mudslides, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

The floods began early in the week, with Juiz de Fora recording double the anticipated rainfall for February, leading to mud and sludge blocking roads and significant infrastructure damage. “There were more than 180mm [of rain] in four hours, intense, destructive and persistent,” stated Mayor Margarida Salomão of Juiz de Fora. As a result, at least 440 residents have been evacuated from their homes, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

Over 200 individuals have been rescued amidst the chaos, while emergency responders continue to face challenging conditions due to ongoing rain. A resident from Ubá recounted, “I saw people trapped in homes crying for help,” emphasizing the urgency of the situation, reported by BBC. The Brazilian government, led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has pledged his support for humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts in the affected areas, according to Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.