At Least 23 Dead as Torrential Rains Trigger Floods and Landslides in Brazil, Dozens Missing

Torrential downpours that battered southeastern Brazil between Monday night and Tuesday have left at least 23 people dead and dozens unaccounted for, authorities and local media reported.

The hardest-hit areas are the cities of Juiz de Fora and Uba in the Zona da Mata region of the state of Minas Gerais, where relentless rain triggered flash floods, river overflow and landslides. Local governments have declared a state of calamity as rescue teams intensify search operations.

Officials say that in Juiz de Fora, unusually intense rainfall — at times exceeding more than 180 mm in just a few hours — caused the Paraibuna River to breach its banks, inundating streets and destabilising hillside neighbourhoods. Residential areas were submerged and in several spots, mudslides left buildings partially or completely destroyed.

According to the municipal authorities and the Fire Department, Juiz de Fora recorded around 16 fatalities, while seven deaths have been confirmed in Uba, bringing the confirmed toll to 23. At least 45 people remain missing as crews comb through debris and unstable terrain.

The catastrophe has forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes, with emergency shelters set up to house those displaced. Local schools were shut and officials urged residents to stay away from vulnerable slopes and waterways as further rainfall is forecast for the region.

Federal and state disaster response teams are assisting municipal authorities, deploying specialised equipment to reach isolated neighbourhoods and pulling survivors from floodwaters and rubble. Civil defence units continue searching for missing people while distributing food, blankets and medical aid to affected families.

Meteorological data from the region indicate this February’s rainfall has far exceeded historical averages, compounding the risk of flooding in towns already prone to seasonal storms. In Juiz de Fora, the month’s total precipitation has reportedly hit double the typical level for February, making it one of the wettest on record.

Officials caution that ground saturation from continuous moisture increases the likelihood of further landslides and urban flooding, prolonging recovery efforts and raising concerns about additional casualties.