Dead following downpours in Pernambuco state reach 100

The number of deaths confirmed in Pernambuco has risen to a hundred. The state has been assailed by landslides and flooding caused by rains since May 25. The figures was updated today (May 31) by the state's public security and social defense forces.

Fire agents, the Civil Defense, the Armed Forces and public health care professionals are currently working in four landslide spots and two locations where two people were carried away by torrents. All of them are located in the metropolitan region of capital Recife.

In all, 436 agents are working, aided by boats, search dogs and aircraft. “The search is focused on locating 16 victims of the heavy rains, 14 of them buried in areas of Vila dos Milagres, Jardim Monteverde, Curado IV, and Areeiro. Another two are believed to have been taken by the torrents, one in Jaboatão Centro and the other in Paratibe (Paulista),” the state’s Social Defense Secretariat declared.

“Confirmed cases add up to 14, with names identified, statements from relatives, plus two others reported missing by locals or whose report is inaccurate but also worthy of attention. The two cases occurred in Vila dos Milagres,” Secretary of Social Defense Humberto Freire pointed out.

Housing

According to Pernambuco’s Civil Defense, 6,198 people have been forced from their homes so far—after the moderate rains were recorded in the early hours this morning. The highest rainfall levels were reported in Goiana (65 mm), Cabo de Santo Agostinho (63 mm), Paulista (35 mm), and Recife (30 mm).

The state's water and weather authority APAC predicts the "continuity of rapid rains throughout the day, with moderate volumes both in the metropolitan region of Recife and Mata Norte." "In Mata Sul, Agreste, and Sertão, rains should be isolated, with little accumulation. The same forecast is made for tomorrow," the forecast reads.

Given the severity of the situation, the Civil Defense maintains landslide warnings because of the soil, still soaked in the areas affected.

Emergency

The number of municipalities where state of emergency has been declared is 24: Recife, Olinda, Jaboatão dos Guararapes, São José da Coroa Grande, Moreno, Nazaré da Mata, Macaparana, Cabo de Santo Agostinho, São Vicente Ferrer, Paudalho, Paulista, Goiana, Timbaúba, Camaragibe, São Lourenço da Mata, Abreu e Lima, Araçoiaba, Igarassu, Aliança, Glória do Goitá, Vicência, Bom Jardim, Limoeiro, and Passira.