Rainfall Places Rio on Alert; Downtown Airport Closed for Almost One Hour

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Rio has been placed on alert – the third level on a scale of five – at 3:20 PM on Monday, February 10th. Given the overcast skies, the Santos Dumont airport (SDU) located in Rio’s downtown was closed for about an hour for landings and take-offs, according to state-owned airport operator INFRAERO.

The Galeão International Airport, on Ilha do Governador, is operating on instruments and flights have been diverted to other airports, according to the concessionaire. The neighborhood was one of the most affected by the rain, with flooded streets and stores.

During the downpour on the West Zone, a helicopter made a forced landing in Cidade de Deus in the area known as Campo do Outeiro. No one was injured.

Trains, VLTs (Light Rail Vehicles) and BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) were partially affected. The city recorded a 173 km-long tailback around 6:30 PM. The average for the past three Mondays was 56 km, according to the Operations Center.

Partial report in the capital

A status report published by Rio’s City Hall at 6 PM showed that there were 37 water pockets (21 with work in progress and 16 drained). Two trees collapsed.

Catete Street was blocked early in the evening due to flooding. A detour has been started along Dois de Dezembro Street. Teams from the Operations Center are working on the site.
Also early in the evening, two sirens were sounded in communities: Mangueira and Parque Candelária, in São Cristóvão.

In Niterói, in the Metropolitan Region, the city decreed a stage of alert due to the late afternoon downpour. Roberto Silveira Avenue, connecting downtown with the Icaraí residential neighborhood, was flooded at several points. In the center, there was also a record of flooded streets, near the ferry boat station Estação das Barcas.

Rain will persist until Tuesday

The storm that flooded streets and caused chaos in São Paulo may reach the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region by Tuesday morning, February 11th, with a forecast for moderate to heavy rainfall, lightning, and strong winds, according to a warning issued by Rio’s City Hall.

As of Tuesday morning, Rio continue in a state of “attention” with rains continuing.

Source: G1