Powerful wind gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour battered southern and southeastern Brazil on Wednesday, killing at least five people and bringing down trees, walls and utility poles.
Footage shows trees crashing onto roads, vehicles and businesses across Rio de Janeiro state, disrupting public transport and leaving motorists struggling through blocked streets.
Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) said the severe weather began in Rio Grande do Sul on Tuesday night, as a cold front intensified conditions across the region.
The powerful winds swept into Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, hitting densely populated areas and disrupting transport, power supplies and daily life.
Authorities reported fallen trees, downed utility poles and damage to urban infrastructure in Angra dos Reis, Niterói, Cabo Frio and Paraty. São Paulo also reported widespread disruption to transport and public services.
Rio de Janeiro resident Lucas Santos said the winds intensified during the afternoon.
“At around 4:30 p.m., we began recording strong winds in the area. The operations centre issued an alert, so we went out to assess any damage caused by the gusts,” he said.
Along the coast, fierce winds drove powerful waves towards the shore, damaging businesses and forcing people to flee the beach.
Rio de Janeiro resident Ramon described people scrambling to save chairs and other equipment from the water.
“The wind pushed the waves further up the beach. People were trying to rescue chairs from the water, and several beach stalls were damaged as everyone rushed to leave the area,” he commented.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the federal government was coordinating its response with state and municipal authorities.
Lula announced the activation of a crisis cabinet involving 24 ministries to support the affected areas.
According to the latest figures released by Brazilian authorities, two people were killed when a wall collapsed in Rio de Janeiro state.
Three others died in Sao Paulo state. Falling trees killed two, while a fisherman died after his boat sank in heavy seas and powerful winds.
Source: Viory
