Videos: Rain and Flooding in Rio

Hi all,

Sorry I have been a bit delinquent in posting this last week. It was a convergence of things: I moved to a new place, and a friend came to visit from the US, and I had a cold. Not a lot of time or energy to post.

But enough of my little world. If you’ve watched the news in the last couple days, you’re probably aware that Rio has been receiving heavy rains. They began Monday late afternoon and have continued more or less since, sometimes easing up, but never stopping for very long.

The result, predictably, has been heavy flooding in parts of the city, which is a mix of low-lying areas (most located along the beaches) and the morros, or hills, adjoining them. Waters, unable to drain fast enough, collect in the streets of Ipanema, Copacabana, Leblon, and other chic areas, to be joined by waters cascading down from the nearby favelas (hillside slums).

Copacabana experienced power outages Monday night. Galeão airport has long delays, and Santos Dumont airport shut down for a time. Roads flooded, accidents piled up, and some drivers were forced to spend the night in their cars, unable to make it home. The mayor asked that residents stay home on Tuesday as the rains continued, and Cariocas (residents of Rio) – who melt whenever it sprinkles – were only too happy to oblige. The city was effectively closed yesterday.

But worst are the mudslides. While most homes in the favelas here are sturdily built of brick and mortar, they are rarely built using licensed engineers or builders, and often are built on lots exposed to eroded hillsides studded with rocks and debris. Heavy rains – which tend to come this time of year – can release torrents of nasty floods choked with debris which sweep through streets and foot paths and which can undermine foundations. Many have died as a result of auto accidents and of home being demolished.

I opted to obey the mayor and stayed indoors rather than venture out to film. Instead I am including links to some videos shot by the major news agencies. You get some idea of the effects on the city.

If you would like to donate to help those you have been affected, please contact your local Red Cross.

Fortunately, the skies seem to be clearing, and a soft beneficent blue is peeking through the remaining clouds, which are lightening. Let’s hope for at least a little time to clean up and recover.

I’ll talk to you again soon.

Torrential Rainfall Floods Rio (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLg80cotqkM)

Rio Cleans Up as Rains Continue (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYHThmuq5Zk&feature=channel)

Brazil’s Olympic city hit by killer floods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zYaVqCFTyI)

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