Rain-hit municipalities in Pernambuco assess losses, over 44,000 people affected

After the heavy rains in the southern portion of the Zona da Mata Sul and part of the Agreste semi-arid region of the Northeast-Brazilian state of Pernambuco, rainstorm-stricken municipalities have initiated recovery procedures and are assessing the damages, which range from stranded communities to destroyed homes, shops, and public buildings. Based on an updated government report, 44,800 people have been displaced.

Pernambuco State Governor Paulo Câmara will visit Brasilia on Tuesday (May 30) for cabinet meetings to obtain federal aid to repair the damages caused by rain.

Across the state, 2,665 people lost their homes and are sheltered in public buildings. There are also 42,145 displaced people who had to leave their homes temporarily and are staying in with friends and relatives. Moreover, the rain has left three dead and two missing. A total 23 municipalities have been affected—14 of them have been declared disaster areas, and Caruaru declared a state of emergency and awaits the state government to recognize it.

In Ribeirão, one of the worst-hit cities, Amaraji river rose 2 meters above its maximum limit, leading to an overflow of its tributary Ribeirão, flooding the streets. According to Municipal Infrastructure Secretary Flávio Henrique Lima, 22 out of the 30 existing schools were damaged. The remaining ones are being used as shelters for 4,000 people who had to leave their homes. In addition, seven community health centers have been impacted and 28 approaches to the rural area have been blocked, with the communities partially or completely cut off. One of them is Vila Aripibu district, where the approach bridge has been damaged and only one unsafe pedestrian route remains. There were landslides in slope areas.

Translated by Mayra Borges