With heavy rain thrashing Brazil after a long drought, at least eight people have lost their lives, authorities confirmed. The storms that have hit parts of the country brought winds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and daily rainfall of up to 10 centimeters, according to the National Institute of Meteorology.
Seven fatalities occurred in Sao Paulo, Brazil’s most populous state, with falling trees and collapsed walls being the main cause of death due to violent winds and rain. The storms also led to widespread blackouts in Sao Paulo city, affecting around 1.6 million homes and businesses.
In Brasilia, the capital, a soldier was killed and another injured by a falling tree while they were removing a flag in front of the military police headquarters. To add to the chaos, rainwater even leaked into the Chamber of Deputies, prompting officials to use umbrellas indoors.
Despite the destruction caused by the storms, many residents welcomed the rain as a relief after experiencing a record 165-day drought. Experts have associated the extreme weather patterns in Brazil with climate change, leading to devastating wildfires across the nation in recent months.
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