January 2011 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides
Encyclopedia
A series of floods and mudslides took place in in several towns of the Mountainous Region (Região Serrana), in the Brazil
ian state of Rio de Janeiro
. Casualties occurred in the cities of Nova Friburgo
, Teresópolis
, Petrópolis
, Sumidouro
and São José do Vale do Rio Preto
. The floods caused at least 903 deaths, including 424 in Nova Friburgo and 378 in Teresópolis. While local media claims that the combination of floods, mudslides and landslide
s in Rio de Janeiro became the worst weather-related natural disaster
in Brazilian history, some contend that a similar weather-related tragedy that took place in the same state in 1967 was much deadlier, and that an estimated 1,700 people lost their lives on the occasion.
The cities that reported human casualties are located in a mountainous area, in the neighborhood of the Serra dos Órgãos
national park. The area is a tourist hotspot due to its geographic features, historical landmarks and mild temperatures. Many buildings, however, are directly exposed to landslide hazards because of the steep terrain.
The most important watercourse to inundate the region was the Santo Antônio river
. According to the National Institute for Space Research
, the precipitation in Rio de Janeiro was caused by a Humidity Convergence Zone, a lesser form of the South Atlantic Convergence Zone
. Nova Friburgo was the city most heavily affected by the floods; Teresópolis also suffered extensive damage and loss of life. In Petrópolis, the Itaipava district, an area with many luxury vacation homes, reported most casualties. Petrópolis Brewery
and the local campus of UERJ in Nova Friburgo were isolated by floods. The cities of Sumidouro, São José do Vale do Rio Preto and Areal
also were struck, as rivers Preto and Piabanha rose.
It has been commented that the majority of deaths were in poverty-stricken areas, and that the impact in these areas could have been much lower if it had not been for the systematically poor conditions of Brazil's favelas. The lack of proper attention to these areas has led some to describe the disaster as "more manmade than natural".
declared that an emergency R$ budget would become available for reconstruction work. Acting governor Luís Fernando Pezão sent reinforcements to the affected region and requested urgent federal assistance in machinery, helicopters and manpower. Rescue efforts were led by municipal governments, which also provided shelter and amenities for the newly homeless, often in schools. The Brazilian Navy
and the Rio de Janeiro state government will set up field hospitals to assist the victims and to support rescue workers. A team of workers in the operation had prior experience with the 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods
and Haiti earthquake
. Analysts have commented that President Rousseff through her management of the crisis "passed... her first big test", but that the structural challenges that make certain (poverty-stricken) areas particularly hard hit in times of environmental disaster, still need to be addressed.
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Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian state of Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro (state)
Rio de Janeiro is one of the 27 states of Brazil.Rio de Janeiro has the second largest economy of Brazil behind only São Paulo state.The state of Rio de Janeiro is located within the Brazilian geopolitical region classified as the Southeast...
. Casualties occurred in the cities of Nova Friburgo
Nova Friburgo
Nova Friburgo is a municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro in southeastern Brazil. It is located in the northern mountainous region of the state, 136 km from its capital Rio de Janeiro...
, Teresópolis
Teresópolis
Teresópolis is a Brazilian municipality located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in a mountainous region known as Região Serrana. The Serra dos Órgãos National Park lies partly within the city limits.-History:...
, Petrópolis
Petrópolis
Petrópolis , also known as The Imperial City of Brazil, is a town in the state of Rio de Janeiro, about 65 km from the city of Rio de Janeiro....
, Sumidouro
Sumidouro
Sumidouro is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. Its population was 14,927 and its area is 395 km²....
and São José do Vale do Rio Preto
São José do Vale do Rio Preto
São José do Vale do Rio Preto is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. Its population was 21,662 and its area is 240 km²....
. The floods caused at least 903 deaths, including 424 in Nova Friburgo and 378 in Teresópolis. While local media claims that the combination of floods, mudslides and landslide
Landslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
s in Rio de Janeiro became the worst weather-related natural disaster
Natural disaster
A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard . It leads to financial, environmental or human losses...
in Brazilian history, some contend that a similar weather-related tragedy that took place in the same state in 1967 was much deadlier, and that an estimated 1,700 people lost their lives on the occasion.
The cities that reported human casualties are located in a mountainous area, in the neighborhood of the Serra dos Órgãos
Serra dos Órgãos
Serra dos Órgãos is a mountain range in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which was turned into a national park in 1939. It is located about a one-hour drive from the city of Rio de Janeiro....
national park. The area is a tourist hotspot due to its geographic features, historical landmarks and mild temperatures. Many buildings, however, are directly exposed to landslide hazards because of the steep terrain.
Flood details
In a 24-hour period between 11 and 2011, the local weather service registered more rainfall than what is expected for the entire month. Flooding of many areas in the region followed immediately. The disaster caused widespread property damage and the supply of public utilities such as electricity, running water and phone lines was affected. Around 2960 people had their homes destroyed.The most important watercourse to inundate the region was the Santo Antônio river
Santo Antônio River (Rio de Janeiro)
The Santo Antônio River is a river of Rio de Janeiro state in southeastern Brazil.-References:*...
. According to the National Institute for Space Research
National Institute for Space Research
The National Institute for Space Research is a research unit of the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology, whose main goals are fostering scientific research and technological applications and qualifying personnel in the fields of space and atmospheric sciences, space engineering, and space...
, the precipitation in Rio de Janeiro was caused by a Humidity Convergence Zone, a lesser form of the South Atlantic Convergence Zone
South Atlantic convergence zone
The South Atlantic convergence zone, or SACZ, is an elongated axis of clouds, precipitation, and convergent winds oriented in a northwest-southeast manner across southeast Brazil into the southwest Atlantic ocean. By definition, the feature is a monsoon trough. It is strongest in the warm season...
. Nova Friburgo was the city most heavily affected by the floods; Teresópolis also suffered extensive damage and loss of life. In Petrópolis, the Itaipava district, an area with many luxury vacation homes, reported most casualties. Petrópolis Brewery
Petrópolis brewery
-Beer:The brewery produces a range of lagers and other beers under the brand names Itaipava, Crystal, Lokai, Black Princess, and Petra.-External links:**...
and the local campus of UERJ in Nova Friburgo were isolated by floods. The cities of Sumidouro, São José do Vale do Rio Preto and Areal
Areal, Rio de Janeiro
Areal is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. Its population was 10,957 and its area is 111 km²....
also were struck, as rivers Preto and Piabanha rose.
It has been commented that the majority of deaths were in poverty-stricken areas, and that the impact in these areas could have been much lower if it had not been for the systematically poor conditions of Brazil's favelas. The lack of proper attention to these areas has led some to describe the disaster as "more manmade than natural".
Governmental response
President Dilma RousseffDilma Rousseff
Dilma Vana Rousseff is the 36th and current President of Brazil. She is the first woman to hold the office. Prior to that, in 2005, she was also the first woman to become Chief of Staff of Brazil, appointed by then President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva....
declared that an emergency R$ budget would become available for reconstruction work. Acting governor Luís Fernando Pezão sent reinforcements to the affected region and requested urgent federal assistance in machinery, helicopters and manpower. Rescue efforts were led by municipal governments, which also provided shelter and amenities for the newly homeless, often in schools. The Brazilian Navy
Brazilian Navy
The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...
and the Rio de Janeiro state government will set up field hospitals to assist the victims and to support rescue workers. A team of workers in the operation had prior experience with the 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods
January 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides
The January 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides was an extreme weather event that affected the State of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in the first days of January 2010. At least 85 people died, with at least 29 people in the Hotel Sankey after it was destroyed by landslides, and many more have been...
and Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks...
. Analysts have commented that President Rousseff through her management of the crisis "passed... her first big test", but that the structural challenges that make certain (poverty-stricken) areas particularly hard hit in times of environmental disaster, still need to be addressed.
International reaction
- The prime minister of SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, José Luis Rodríguez ZapateroJosé Luis Rodríguez ZapateroJosé Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party . He was elected for two terms as Prime Minister of Spain, in the 2004 and 2008 general elections. On 2 April 2011 he announced he will not stand for re-election in 2012...
, expressed his condolences over the "tragedy provoked by the storms," and offered assistance from the Spanish government.
- The Ministry of Foreign Relations of ArgentinaArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
transmitted its "solidarity to the government and the people of Brazil," expressing condolences and offered "immediate aid."
- The President of IranIranIran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, sent a message of "solidarity to the Brazilian nation and people."
- The President of MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Felipe CalderónFelipe CalderónFelipe de Jesús Calderón Hinojosa is the current President of Mexico. He assumed office on December 1, 2006, and was elected for a single six-year term through 2012...
, published a communiqué to "transmit his condolences to the families of the victims", as well as "support and solidarity in this painful moment."
- The President of PortugalPortugalPortugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, Aníbal Cavaco SilvaAníbal Cavaco SilvaAníbal António Cavaco Silva, GCC , is the President of Portugal. He won the Portuguese presidential election on 22 January 2006 and was re-elected on 23 January 2011, for a second five-year term. Cavaco Silva was sworn in on 9 March 2006....
, sent a message to President Rousseff expressing Portugal's "deep condolences and heartfelt solidarity" towards the "brotherly people of Brazil".
- The Foreign Minister of AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Kevin RuddKevin RuddKevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
, expressed its sympathy and solidarity with Brazil, "As Australia's Foreign Minister I extend our heartfelt condolences, our sympathy, our solidarity and our support to the good people of Brazil, going through a terrible time right now. "
See also
- 2009 Brazilian floods and mudslides2009 Brazilian floods and mudslidesThe 2009 Brazilian floods and mudslides were a severe natural disaster principally affecting five Northeastern States of Brazil. As a result of heavy rains, fourteen people were reported dead over a period of one month and at least 62,600 others had been left homeless as of 2 May 2009...
- January 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslidesJanuary 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslidesThe January 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides was an extreme weather event that affected the State of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in the first days of January 2010. At least 85 people died, with at least 29 people in the Hotel Sankey after it was destroyed by landslides, and many more have been...
- April 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslidesApril 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslidesThe April 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides was an extreme weather event that has affected the State of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in the first days of April 2010. At least 212 people have died, 161 people have been injured , while at least 15,000 people have been made homeless...
- 2010 northeastern Brazil floods2010 northeastern Brazil floodsThe 2010 northeastern Brazil rains caused widespread flooding in the second half of June 2010. The flooding has mainly hit Alagoas and Pernambuco, where entire villages were carried away, killing dozens and causing hundreds to disappear....
- 2010–2011 Southern Africa floods2010–2011 Southern Africa floodsThe 2010–2011 Southern Africa floods are an ongoing series of floods across three countries in Southern Africa. Linked to a La Niña event, above-average rains starting in December have led to widespread flooding. Thousands of people have been displaced and evacuations of more continue. , at least...
External links
- Video of the floodings in the state of Rio de Janeiro at Globo.com
- Red Cross - Branch Nova Iguaçu - Rio de Janeiro (Cruz Vermelha - Filial Nova Iguaçu - RJ)
- Information Centre of the United Nations in Brazil (UNIC - Centro de Informação das Nações Unidas no Brasil - Rio de Janeiro)
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