The weekend storm system that swept across Rio de Janeiro state has left a trail of devastation. At least three people are confirmed dead, two remain missing, and dozens of residents in Petrópolis have been displaced as authorities assess the full extent of the damage. Rainfall also affected neighborhoods in the greater metropolitan area around the capital, where forecasters expect precipitation to intensify in the early hours of Saturday.
Civil defense officials report that the most severe impact is concentrated in the mountainous region, especially in Petrópolis. A building collapsed under the weight of the downpour, trapping five individuals beneath the rubble. Three of them died, and two are listed as missing. Rescue teams managed to pull four people from other landslides in the same city, illustrating the danger that continues to unfold as weather conditions persist.
To date there have been 109 weather-related incidents, with 75 landslides confirmed. The incident prompted authorities to close the road linking Rio de Janeiro with Petrópolis, a major route for communities and commerce in the region. A coordinated effort involving about 40 military personnel, along with Civil Defense volunteers and regional firefighters, is underway to locate missing persons and recover debris.
In the Baixada Fluminense area of the metropolitan region, authorities remain vigilant as the weather pattern continues. In Nilópolis, early Friday saw a house collapse, though there were no fatalities reported. The rainfall has not abated in the city of Rio de Janeiro itself, where floodwaters have clogged some roadways but no grave incidents have been recorded so far. With new storm warnings issued for the late-night hours, residents were urged to limit travel and keep emergency plans ready to prevent further tragedies.