RIO DE JANEIRO: A powerful storm has claimed at least nine lives in southeastern Brazil, particularly in the mountainous part of Rio de Janeiro state, where authorities on Saturday deployed rescue teams to deal with a “critical” situation.

Three people died in a house collapse in the city of Petropolis, 70 kilometers (45 miles) from the capital, according to a bulletin from an emergency committee comprising Rio government and civil defense officials.

In addition, a team confirmed the discovery on Saturday of another body in the rubble. Earlier, a girl who had been buried overnight was pulled out alive.

Other deaths were reported earlier in Santa Cruz da Serra, where a man drowned when his truck plunged into a river; in Teresopolis, where a person died in a house collapse; and in Arraial do Cabo, where a person was struck by lightning.

In addition, two children, aged three and nine, died on Friday in separate storm-related events in Sao Paolo state, officials said.

Late on Friday, Rio Governor Claudio Castro said the situation in Petropolis was “critical” due to “intense rains and the overflowing of the Quitandinha River.”

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2024