In Brazil’s mountainous city of Petrópolis, north of Rio de Janeiro, recent mudslides and flooding caused by heavy rains have resulted in 94 deaths. Although these events are uncommon, a similar event that occurred in 2011 consumed the lives of 900 people.
Global warming has resulted in more frequent events such as this and in combination with deforestation from encroaching human populations in an area susceptible to extreme weather events, natural protective barriers cannot prevent or slow down mudslides. Brazil’s National Meteorological Institute reports that the rainfall during this event rain was the heaviest since 1952, and it is predicted that extreme weather events will only become more common.
Although preventative plans have been drafted after the 2011 disaster, political inaction and shifts in funding have impeded progress in developing early warning systems and other measures to protect the residents from future mudslides.
Read the full article here