Brazil: Mudslides and floods kill 18 people after 26cm of rain falls in just three hours in Rio

February 16, 2022

At least 18 people have died in mudslides and floods after a mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro saw almost a month's worth of rain fall in just three hours.

The state fire department said more than 180 soldiers were involved in a rescue mission in the city of Petropolis where 25.8cm (just over 10in) fell on Tuesday - close to the same quantity that fell during the previous 30 days combined.

Footage posted on social media showed cars and houses being dragged away by landslides and water swirling through the city and neighbouring districts.

Petropolis city hall said in a statement that the heavy rains left "a high number of incidents and victims" and that rescue and recovery efforts were continuing.

There is concern the death toll will rise significantly in the area, which saw hundreds of deaths from heavy rainfall in 2011.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on a trip to Russia, said on Twitter that he instructed his ministers to deliver immediate support to communities affected.

"May God comfort the family members of the victims," he wrote.

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