The search for survivors in houses swept away by landslides in southeastern Brazil on Sunday continued unabated on Tuesday, February 21, with the human toll continuing to rise – 44 victims are counted, as well as dozens of missing. More than 680 millimeters of rain fell in twenty-four hours in Sao Sebastiao, a seaside resort about 200 kilometers from Sao Paulo, more than double the monthly rainfall. This is where 43 deaths have so far been recorded in addition to that of a little girl further north, in the coastal town of Ubatuba.
"Search and rescue operations continue unabated," Sao Paulo's governor's office said, noting that 1,730 people had been temporarily evacuated from their homes and 760 were left homeless. In addition, 23 people, including 5 children, are being treated at the hospital, 6 of them in serious condition. In Sao Sebastiao, a tent was erected for a collective vigil in tribute to the victims.
9.5 million people live in exposed areas
In the neighboring town of Juquehy, residents still shaken by the storm wiped out this weekend were tested Tuesday morning by new landslides. About 80 people fled their homes; no casualties were reported, authorities said.
The country's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who flew over the disaster zone on Monday, warned of the dangers of urban constructions located at the foot of hills, such as those washed away in Sao Sebastiao. Brazil's National Natural Disaster Monitoring and Warning Center, Cemaden, estimates that 9.5 million people live in areas prone to landslides or floods, many of them in favelas lacking basic sanitation facilities. .
Many roads still blocked by landslides force the evacuation of holidaymakers by boat. Helicopters bring aid and equipment to search areas.
