At Least Six Dead, Thousands Displaced in Northeast Brazil Heavy Rains

Heavy rains in northeastern Brazil killed at least six people and displaced thousands over the weekend, authorities said. The deaths occurred in Pernambuco and Paraiba states on Saturday following two days of rain. Flooding and landslides were reported in Recife, the capital of Pernambuco state, where at least two people were confirmed killed.

Two people were killed in Olinda, near Recife, and about 1,500 people were displaced by the storms in Pernambuco. In Paraiba state, Joao Pessoa, the capital, and the city of Campina Grande were among the hardest hit areas. At least two people were confirmed killed in Paraiba, with 1,500 people displaced there.

Thousands of people have been displaced by the heavy rains in northeastern Brazil, according to Brazil's Integration and Regional Development Ministry. The ministry reported that rain had eased on Saturday. The National Center for Risk and Disaster Management issued 22 emergency alerts during the rain.

It raised the operational level to maximum alert due to impacts in Pernambuco and Paraiba and the weather forecast for the region. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva spoke with local authorities to offer support. Rain disasters, including flooding and landslides, tripled in Brazil from 1991 to 2023, according to a study by the Brazilian Alliance for Ocean Culture.

At least 64 people were killed in floods and landslides in Minas Gerais state in February.