"Heavy rains have caused floods and landslides in Brazil, leaving at least 11 people dead. Officials said the worst incident had occurred in Jacarepagua, in the western part of Rio de Janeiro state, where a family of five died in a landslide. The state has been hit by 24 hours of downpours threatening new year celebrations on Copacabana Beach"
Whilst the report on AP says:
"Heavy rains in the Rio de Janeiro area have triggered mudslides that have killed at least 18 people. Rio de Janeiro state's Office of Civil Defence says that more deaths are likely as more rains are expected."
A quick look at the TRMM cumulative precipitation graphs for this area suggests that it has suffered from a prolonged period of heavy rainfall, mostly falling in heavy rainfall events:
Further rain is forecast for the next 24 hours.
http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Rio/0,,MUL1431604-5606,00-E+GRAVE+ESTADO+DE+SAUDE+DE+MENINA+DE+ANOS+QUE+FICOU+SOTERRADA.html
ReplyDeleteThe recent events are tragic but not unexpected. At the time of the International Geological Congress held in Rio 8 years ago, we participants were told that approximately 2000 full time employees worked in Rio stabilizing slopes to lessen the effects of landslides, rockslides etc.
ReplyDeleteThe blog is really interesting these events generate a lot of spectators will be visiting the site I like
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