The city of Rio de Janeiro faced intense weather conditions on March 19, 2025, culminating in the municipality entering Stage 2 on the risk alert scale, due to heavy rainfall and flooding across various neighborhoods. As reported by the Centro de Operações e Resiliência (COR-Rio), this stage indicates a high risk for severe weather incidents, raising alarms for the safety of residents.
Beginning at 20h40, the COR-Rio reported moderate to heavy rain impacting the city, particularly in the northern zone and parts of Jacarepaguá. Weather conditions recorded at local stations noted rainfall exceeding 25 mm in just 30 minutes. The forecast called for more wet weather, asserting a continued presence of unstable conditions into the following day.
During the course of the rain on the evening of March 19, the Elerta Rio system logged multiple instances of water accumulation and flooding in various districts. Notably, the neighborhoods of Realengo, Pavuna, and Freguesia saw significant waterlogging, leading to dangerous driving conditions. By the end of the day, several areas experienced water standing on the streets, effectively disrupting traffic and daily activities for residents.
As of the latest updates, there were reports of 31 incidents classified as cleared cases of water accumulation across Rio, while focused instances in other areas led to temporary service interruptions for several bus routes in the BRT system.
With the severe weather, the Municipal Civil Defense received approximately nine calls regarding potential hazards, primarily concerning inspections of structural integrity in buildings due to water exposure risks. Notably, the emergency warning sirens in the city did not activate as the rain, though heavy, did not reach the threshold necessary for alerts.
The rain resulted in recorded rainfall accumulations of up to 134.6 mm in the Barra/Barrinha region, with similar amounts reported in other neighborhoods such as Alto da Boa Vista and Anchieta. For context, this volume of rain represents a significant proportion of the city's average expected precipitation for March, which is roughly around 139.4 mm for the month. The accumulations within this one evening exceeded 37% of the monthly average rainfall.
In response to the situation, local officials recommended that residents stay alert and take precautionary measures such as avoiding travel if possible and ensuring that they are registered for emergency alerts through the local Civil Defense SMS system. Residents were given instructions to text their postal codes to receive updates.
As the weather transitioned into March 20, forecasts indicated possibility of light to moderate rain continuing throughout the day, with maximum temperatures forecasted to drop to around 27°C. Winds were expected to shift to a moderate range and continue to bring moisture from the ocean, contributing to a lingering chance of thunderstorm activity.
In parallel with local developments, the Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET) issued an Orange Alert for the wider Southeast region, which includes not only Rio de Janeiro but also São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo. The warning on March 20 predicted rainfall accumulations potentially reaching between 30 to 60 mm per hour, alongside wind gusts of 60 to 100 km/h, further emphasizing the need for preparedness due to risks of electrical outages and tree falls.
Communications from city and weather officials emphasized the importance of staying informed through official channels such as the COR-Rio WhatsApp, where real-time updates are disseminated to communities most affected by the storms. Residents were also encouraged to consider their travel routes, particularly avoiding regions historically prone to flooding and advising against seeking shelter beneath trees during storms due to risks associated with falling limbs.
As this weather episode evolves, state officials continue to monitor conditions closely. Public services, especially emergency services, remain alert and responsive, anticipating continued rainfall and heightened conditions well into the night of March 20. With storm warnings still active, attention to safety measures and awareness is paramount as the region navigates the challenges posed by this weather front. Fostering community vigilance will be crucial in managing the impact of these severe weather developments.
