Rio on alert after storm
Rio de Janeiro - The storm that hit the city from early afternoon through most of the night on Monday (Feb. 29) created havoc for the population 
Rio de Janeiro is on alert for rain storms. According to the Local Operations Center, a cold front that reached the city should stay on over the state until at least the weekend. The storm that hit the city from early afternoon through most of the night on Monday (Feb. 29) created havoc for the population, flooded streets and avenues, knocked down trees, resulted in over 40 waterlogged areas and tied up traffic throughout the city.
Santos Dumont airport was shut down and about 50 flights were canceled until the evening, whereas flights in Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport were operating in instrument conditions. At Fundão Hospital of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, medical operations were canceled due to leaks in the operating room.
Mayor Eduardo Paes said the bad weather conditions combined with high tides to make severe damage. Additionally, the city's drainage system, which was already poor, was unable to handle the water that accumulated from heavy rains on several construction sites of the Rio 2016 Olympics projects.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Rio on alert after storm
