The death toll in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state has climbed to 68 following heavy rains. Of these, 62 fatalities were reported in Juiz de Fora, with an additional six in Uba. Authorities noted that the count includes individuals discovered deceased in debris and those who succumbed to injuries after being rescued.
In Juiz de Fora, three individuals are still missing, while two remain unaccounted for in Uba, as per reports from the Xinhua news agency. Search and rescue operations persist to locate potential survivors amid collapsed structures. Emergency teams, along with heavy machinery and search dogs, are on a continuous 24-hour rotation in affected areas to aid in these efforts.
The relentless downpour, which escalated on Monday, has triggered river overflow, resulting in the shutdown of bridges and an underpass. The inclement weather has also caused tree falls and road blockages. Juiz de Fora has experienced its rainiest February on record, with precipitation levels exceeding double the historical average.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has extended solidarity to the victims and rescue personnel, while Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema has declared a three-day official mourning period. The Ministry of Defence is actively backing the emergency response through troop deployments for cleanup, logistics support, temporary shelters, and helicopter-assisted humanitarian missions.
