Saturday, February 28, 2026-Heavy rains and catastrophic flooding in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais have claimed at least 46 lives, with 21 people still missing as rescue teams continue searching collapsed homes and landslide zones.
The deluge, driven by record rainfall in cities like Juiz de Fora and Ubá, triggered deadly landslides and widespread flooding, forcing thousands to evacuate and displacing around 3,600 residents. Local authorities have declared states of calamity in the hardest-hit areas and deployed emergency crews across the region.
Officials report that rainfall totals reached roughly double the typical February average, saturating hillsides and causing widespread collapses. Schools have been closed, major roads remain disrupted, and emergency shelters are housing displaced families. Medical teams are responding to injuries while local governments coordinate food, water, and temporary housing assistance as the humanitarian toll rises.
Rescue operations remain ongoing, though hopes of finding additional survivors are fading with time. The disaster has renewed urgent debate about infrastructure resilience and preparedness during Brazil’s intense rainy season. As communities begin the long recovery process, officials are warning that continued adverse weather could complicate both search efforts and rebuilding plans.
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