Torrential Rains in Minas Gerais, Brazil: Death Toll Rises, and Dozens Missing
By [Your Name]
Intense and persistent rainstorms have ravaged the southeastern region of Brazil, causing the death of at least 36 people and leaving 33 missing. The cities of Juiz de Fora and Ubá in Minas Gerais have been the hardest hit, with landslides, flooding, and property destruction leaving many homeless.
Historic Rainfall and Devastation
The record-setting rainfall, attributed to a supercell, a vertically developed storm, began on Monday night (23) and has continued unabated. The INmet (National Institute of Meteorology) recorded 605.6 mm of rain in Juiz de Fora, making February 2026 the rainiest month in the city's history. The torrential rains have led to at least twenty landslides and the overflow of rivers, causing floods and damage on an unprecedented scale.
This tragedy is the latest in a series of rain-induced disasters in Minas Gerais, with notable incidents including the landslides in 2003 in Greater São Paulo, the rainy January of 2020, and the deaths recorded in the Iron Quadrilateral in 2025.
Rescue and Recovery Efforts
Firefighters and rescuers have been working tirelessly to find the missing persons and help those affected by the floods. A heartrending story emerged of a three-year-old boy who survived a landslide in Juiz de Fora because his mother hugged him as they fell into a ravine. Tragically, the mother did not survive.
Volunteers from the Group of Response to Animals in Disasters (Grad) have managed to rescue thirty-five animals, including dogs, cats, and birds from the affected areas.
Relief Measures and Future Concerns
The municipalities of Ubá and Juiz de Fora have announced official means of donation to support relief efforts and are urging the public to aid in attending to the population affected by the rains. A public school that was being used as a shelter had to be evacuated due to the risk of further landslides, underscoring the continuing threat posed by the unstable conditions.
The Civil Defense and firefighters in Minas Gerais maintain the alert as meteorological forecasts predict more heavy rains in the region over the next few days. The INmet has issued a red alert for rain accumulation valid until midnight on Friday (27) for the severely affected Southeast region.
Conclusion
As the rains continue, the situation in Minas Gerais remains precarious. With entire neighborhoods flooded, businesses closed, and residents on edge due to the threat of more landslides, the region faces a difficult recovery. As rescue operations continue and the world watches, the people of Minas Gerais are demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity and rallying together to overcome this tragic disaster.