Recent heavy rains in Rio de Janeiro state have resulted in a devastating toll, with at least seven people losing their lives, according to authorities. The city of Petropolis, located 69 kilometers north of Rio, bore witness to a miraculous rescue as a 4-year-old girl was pulled out alive after being trapped under mud for over 16 hours.
Tragically, the girl's father perished as their house was destroyed, but his selfless act of shielding his daughter with his body ultimately saved her life. The emotional impact of the loss was palpable, with the girl's grandfather expressing profound grief over the death of his son.
Rescue efforts faced challenges as the risk of new landslides forced teams to halt operations temporarily on Friday night. Despite the dangers, nearly 100 individuals have been successfully rescued, with the tireless efforts of firefighters and search dogs playing a crucial role in locating and extracting survivors.
Warnings issued by local officials, including mayors and Governor Claudio Castro, alerted residents to the potential dangers posed by the inclement weather. The region's vulnerability to landslides was underscored by the tragic events in Petropolis and neighboring areas like Teresopolis, where one person remains missing following the heavy rains.
Meteorologists have indicated that the severe weather conditions affecting Rio state are expected to shift towards the neighboring state of Espirito Santo, prompting continued vigilance and preparedness measures in the face of ongoing challenges posed by the natural disaster.
