São Paulo coast affected by landslides, floods and services disrupted by rainfall

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Heavy rainfall on Thursday, December 30, left the cities of Ubatuba and Caraguatatuba, on the northern coast of the state of São Paulo, in a state of alert. There were floods in both municipalities, and in Ilhabela at least a landslide and essential services were compromised.

The Rio-Santos highway was blocked from late afternoon until 10:15 PM due to a landslide on the stretch between the Perequê Mirim neighborhood and Saco da Ribeira, in Ubatuba.

Rainfall was heavier in the center and south of the city. According to the Ubatuba City Hall, the Perequê district registered 96 millimeters of rain between 5 PM and 6 PM alone and experienced the “most alarming” situation.

The municipal administration warned residents to redouble their attention, particularly in areas at risk of landslides, and said that it is organizing efforts to help people who may be displaced.

In Caraguatatuba, the central region was the hardest hit by the rain. According to the city hall, some rain gauges registered over 140 millimeters in 6 hours, which translates into more than 140 liters per m².

PUBLIC SERVICES IMPAIRED

The city management reported that public transport was affected because of flooding near the Caraguatatuba bus station and the terminal in the Sumaré neighborhood.

Emergency Medical Services (SAMU) phone lines were also affected by the rains. The 192 line has technical issues that also affect Ilhabela, according to the city hall.

In the event of emergencies, the population should call the Fire Department’s number 193.

WATER SUPPLY AFFECTED

SABESP reported that the rains affected water production on the northern coast – in addition to Ubatuba, Caraguatatuba and Ilhabela, the region includes the municipality of São Sebastião.

According to the company, there is a risk of an interruption in the supply “albeit partially, due to the large volume of water that is reaching the catchments and due to the dragging of dirt, sand, stones, branches and mud, which are blocking the gratings, screens and pumping systems of water catchments.”

“The Company is supplying properties in a limited manner, with a reduction in the flow and pressure, but it is worth emphasizing that the Company’s entire workforce is in the field to restore the supply systems as soon as possible, including contingency teams that are working around the clock to normalize production systems,” SABESP said in a statement.