The government of Rio de Janeiro intensified monitoring of rain after municipalities in the Metropolitan Region, Baixada Fluminense, Serrana Region and Costa Verde, were hit by temporary which occurred on Saturday afternoon (21).
During the day, 47 incidents attended by military personnel were recorded. According to the Fire Department report, there are no victims so far.
The most critical situation is in Nova Iguaçu, with three landslides and three floods. During the storm, three cars fell into a hole that opened in the asphalt in front of the Iguaçu University – Nova Iguaçu (Unig), on Avenida Abílio Augusto Távora. The region is identified as one of the most critical points.
Furthermore, a landslide was recorded in Guadalupe, in the capital, and another in Guapimirim. According to the government, the cities that are most under attention are Nova Iguaçu, São João de Meriti and Mesquita, as well as isolated points in Duque de Caxias (Xerém) and Magé.
Due to the events, the governor of Rio de Janeiro, Cláudio Castro, held a meeting with the mayors of the affected areas. He stated that the state sent machinery to help drain water and minimize the impacts of flooding, in addition to maintaining contact with water and energy concessionaires to monitor possible service interruptions.
Alert, occurrences and guidance
The State Civil Defense of Rio de Janeiro issued, on Saturday afternoon (21), a series of alerts and recommendations for mobilization due to the heavy rains which affect municipalities in the Metropolitan Region, Baixada Fluminense, Serrana Region and Costa Verde.
According to the state government, flood warnings were sent, heavy rains and landslidesthrough the Cellbroadcast system, to the municipalities of Nova Iguaçu, Duque de Caxias, Belford Roxo, Mesquita, Nilópolis, São Gonçalo, Angra dos Reis, Petrópolis and Niterói, guiding the population to adopt preventive measures and seek safe shelter.
CEMADEN (State Center for Monitoring and Alerts for Natural Disasters of Rio de Janeiro) also issued mobilization recommendations for high levels of rain for Duque de Caxias, São João de Meriti and Petrópolis.
In Duque de Caxias, São João de Meriti, Mangaratiba and Petrópolis, 13 siren stations were mobilized. There was also a rain warning at 56 stations in the municipalities of Duque de Caxias, Magé, Teresópolis and the capital.
In Rio das Ostras, intense rain accompanied by gusts of wind caused temporary interruption of electricity, internet and telephony for around 60 minutes. Occurrences of cutting trees on public roads and on buildings were recorded, attended by soldiers from the Fire Department.
The guideline is that the population follows the official alerts and, in case of emergency, call 199 (municipal Civil Defense) or 193 (Fire Department).
In the capital of Rio de Janeiro, the city hall also records heavy rain and there are records of flooded areas and falling trees.
