Brazil: heavy rains, floods, landslides cause deaths amid Carnival season; fest cancelled in many cities

A deadly deluge has hit Brazil amid Carnival season, with some cities cancelling the festivities. Over 20 people died in floods and landslides in several cities in the northern Sao Paulo state, Brazilian authorities said on 19 February 2023.

The cities of Sao Sebastiao and Bertioga cancelled Carnival celebrations as search and rescue operations were carried out. A public calamity decree for Ubatuba, Sao Sebastiao, Ilhabela, Caraguatatuba, and Bertioga was issued.

“Our rescue teams are not managing to get to several locations; it is a chaotic situation,” said Felipe Augusto, the mayor of Sao Sebastiao. He posted in his social media channels several videos of widespread destruction in his city, including one of baby being rescued by locals lined up on a flooded street.

Sao Paulo state government said in a statement that precipitation in the region has surpassed 600 millimeters in one day, one of the highest amounts ever in Brazil in such a short period.

Bertioga alone had 687 millimeters during that period, the state government said.

(With PTI inputs)

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