In late February, heavy rain fell on the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais, in south-eastern Brazil. Between the morning of 22 February and the next morning, 89mm of rain was recorded, on top of a wet month.
The flooding and landslides caused deaths, and the city of Juiz de Fora declared a state of calamity. Schools closed and public transport was cut back because roads were blocked.
Hillsides and heavy rain
In many Brazilian cities, homes are built on steep slopes and beside rivers. When heavy rain comes, those neighbourhoods face both floods and landslides.
After the water goes down, families face mud, broken pipes and the risk of illness from contaminated water.
What preparation changes
- Safety: warnings that reach hillside neighbourhoods in time.
- Health: safe water supplied while pipes are repaired.
- Planning: safer places to build away from slopes and rivers.
How you can help
Share this story and follow organisations supporting flood recovery in Brazil.
Source: Wikipedia, “2026 Zona da Mata floods” (summary; it cites g1 and BBC News, which should be checked directly).
