Minas Gerais records new floods; number of displaced people grows to 13,000

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The number of people displaced in the cities of Minas Gerais has increased to 13,117 due to the heavy rains and floods in the region. According to data released on Sunday morning, January 2 by the Civil Defense, there were 12,783 people displaced, while the number of deaths remained unchanged since Saturday, with a total of 6.

Nine houses located on Dona Glorinha Paiva street, in the Cinturão Verde neighborhood, were flooded by the downpour. The water level rose some 60 centimeters, damaging property and affecting 23 people.

In addition to flooding homes, the rain caused the collapse of part of the municipal cemetery wall, and of part of Três Street at the intersection with Clóvis Neder Street in the Estância dos Reis neighborhood.

Residents have been cleaning up the affected homes and did not need to go to shelters or other people’s houses. So far, there are no reports of other damages.

EMERGENCY

While municipalities are affected by floods, 14 others are in a state of emergency due to the drought. Another 2 are in a state of public calamity for the same reason.

The heavy rains that have affected Minas Gerais have resulted in deaths, destruction, and left 124 municipalities in a state of emergency, according to a survey by the state government.

The number of municipalities in a state of emergency in Minas Gerais has dropped. By December 30, 124 municipalities were in this status. Currently, only 11 remain in a state of emergency, while another 2 are in a state of public calamity.