Heavy rains in Petropolis, Brazil, triggered landslides that left hundreds dead or missing on Tuesday, February 15, according to local officials.
The rainfall that struck the mountainous city on that Tuesday afternoon exceeded the historical average for the entire month of February, as reported by the Civil Defense of Rio.
Impact of the Landslides
According to Brazil’s Civil Defense Secretariat, 269 landslides were documented, with floods sweeping through hillside neighborhoods and leaving a devastating path of destruction.
Consequently, search and rescue efforts are actively underway as authorities strive to locate missing individuals and provide necessary assistance.
People help rescue workers on the second day of efforts to find survivors and victims on Thursday, February 17.A person looks for survivors amongst the debris. Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty ImagesA bulldozer clears mud from a street. Silvia Izquierdo/APA rescue worker takes a break in Petropolis. Silvia Izquierdo/APPeople sit on a set of stairs that remain intact. Silvia Izquierdo/APPeople search through debris for survivors. Silvia Izquierdo/APRescue workers from a fire department gather in Petropolis. Silvia Izquierdo/APVolunteers distribute donations to people in Petropolis on Wednesday, February 16. Andre Borges/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesVehicles and debris are seen scattered in the road. Agência O Globo/GDA/APMen carry a body following a mudslide at Morro da Oficina. Ricardo Moraes/ReutersPeople embrace after fatal mudslides in Petropolis. Silvia Izquierdo/APDebris from a mudslide is seen in Petropolis. Florian Plaucheur/AFP/Getty ImagesPeople search through the rubble at Morro da Oficina. Ricardo Moraes/ReutersRescue workers walk at a site of a mudslide at Morro da Oficina. Ricardo Moraes/ReutersA woman inspects damage from mudslides in Petropolis. Antonio Lacerda/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockMembers of the fire services rescue team lift rubble to look for survivors. Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty ImagesA man observes damaged public buses at a river after pouring rains.A fire services rescue team helicopter flies over an area of a mudslide in Petropolis. Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images
