Severe Storms Wreak Havoc in Southeastern Brazil, Claiming 8 Lives and Leaving 2.1 Million Without Power

Central and southeastern Brazil were hit by powerful storms over the past two days, resulting in widespread damage, multiple fatalities, and widespread power outages across the region.

The intense weather, featuring strong winds reaching up to 108 km/h (67 mph) and heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm (4 inches) per day, battered the affected areas on Friday, October 11, and Saturday, October 12, according to the National Institute of Meteorology.

The severe storm system proved to be particularly devastating in São Paulo, Brazil's most populous state, where seven people lost their lives due to falling trees, collapsing walls, and the sheer force of the winds. In Brasília, a soldier was killed, and another was injured when a tree fell on them.

The storms' impact was further exacerbated by an extended period of dry weather, including 167 days without rain in Brasília. This prolonged drought had already taken a toll on the environment, fueling wildfires that devastated the Amazon rainforest and harmed wildlife in the Pantanal wetlands, while also blanketing major urban areas in smoke.

The storms' aftermath has left an estimated 2.1 million homes and businesses across the region without power. In Greater São Paulo alone, 1.3 million residents were still without electricity by 21:00 on Saturday, with an additional 870,000 outages reported in Brasília.

Authorities are working diligently to restore power and coordinate emergency response efforts in the affected areas. As the region grapples with the aftermath of these severe storms, the focus now shifts to recovery and ensuring the well-being of those impacted by this devastating event.