Torrential rains in northeastern Brazil have killed at least 79 people and left dozens missing. This horror was even captured by satellite imagery as released by the Brazilian National Meteorological Institute (Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia/INMET).
Authorities warned that rain was expected to continue Monday local time. However, the storm has subsided and about 1,200 personnel, some aboard or helicopters, continued search and rescue work.
"Since the early hours of Saturday (28/5), rain has persisted in the east of the state of Potiguar and increased in the east from ParaÃba to Alagoas. Again, the total daily rainfall may exceed 100 mm. On Sunday (29/5), volumes the most significant is predicted on the coasts of Pernambuco and Alagoas," explained INMET, as seen on Monday (30/5/2022).
The image below shows a map of the accumulated rainfall forecasts (mm) for the Northeast, during the 27th May to the early morning of 28th May. The light pink color indicates total rainfall between 90 mm and 125 mm for the coast between Rio Grande do Norte and ParaÃba.
Torrential rains in northeastern Brazil have killed at least 79 people and left dozens missing. Photo: Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia
Below is an animated photo of the cumulative rainfall map (mm) for the period from 27 to 28 May 2022, which was the most severe condition. It was horrifying to see the Brazilian sky covered with super heavy rain clouds:
Torrential rains in northeastern Brazil have killed at least 79 people and left dozens missing. Photo: Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia
Regional Development Minister Daniel Ferreira urged all parties to exercise caution.
"Although the rain has stopped now, we expect heavy rains to occur in the next few days," he said.
Between Friday evening and Saturday morning, rainfall volume reached 70 percent of what was expected throughout May in parts of Recife.