Severe weather has wreaked havoc across São Paulo State, causing landslides and flooding incidents, particularly impacting the district of Taubaté, where three fatalities have been reported. Heavy precipitation, reaching 199 millimeters over just 72 hours, has prompted emergency evacuations and significant damage to infrastructure.
On December 28, approximately 40 individuals were displaced due to landslides affecting homes in Santa Isabel. According to the Defesa Civil, this region has experienced the highest rainfall accumulations, with the recent deluge accounting for 88% of the average expected rainfall for the entire month of December. Evacuated residents have sought refuge with family members as state technical teams, working alongside the Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas (IPT), assess the situation and potential hazards.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the state’s crisis management office has confirmed no fatalities or serious injuries related to the landslides, with assessment teams actively monitoring the affected areas. Conditions were expected to vary throughout the day, as showers of light to moderate intensity persisted, accompanied by thunderstorms and winds.
The flooding has not been confined to Santa Isabel. The nearby municipality of Ibiúna also suffered from extreme rainfall, which resulted in the complete closure of the bridge over the Sorocaba River. Photos released by the Defesa Civil depicted visible cracks and damage to protective barriers on the bridge. Unfortunately, no reopening timeline has been provided.
Over the past 48 hours, 21 municipalities across São Paulo reported incidents resulting from the torrential rains. Alarming instances of flooding, mudslides, and fallen trees were recorded as follows:
- Caieiras: Multiple road closures due to flooding and fallen trees.
- Campinas: Flooding and obstructive tree falls noted throughout the area.
- Campo Limpo Paulista: Landslides affecting residential properties.
- Francisco Morato: Significant landslides impacting five homes, with additional flooding reports.
- Franco da Rocha: Overflowing creeks leading to widespread flooding.
- São Paulo (capital): Various points of flooding and tree falls reported.
- Bertioga: Landslides on the Mogi-Bertioga highway.
- Jundiaí: A fallen tree on residential property resulted in one minor injury.
- Suzano: Flooding impacted 80 residences.
- Vinhedo: Tree falls and partial road closures recorded.
- Mogi das Cruzes: Houses and roads obstructed by mud and water.
- Guarulhos: Flooding coupled with downed trees.
- Monte Mor: Widespread flooding with blocked roads.
- Mauá: Near homes, significant mudslides occurred.
- Estiva Gerbi: Blocked roads due to flooding.
- Indaiatuba: Closure of minor wooden bridges.
- Valinhos: A tree fell on both residences and vehicles.
- Taubaté: The most tragic reports detail deaths and injuries caused by landslides, with three fatalities confirmed.
- Lorena and Guar actively reported flooding incidents as well.
On December 27, the weather turned deadly when intense rainfall led to mudslides, burying three individuals near their home in Taubaté. At about 5:30 PM, Gustavo Santos Scacaparozzi, aged 42, was rescued and transported to the Regional Hospital of Taubaté after suffering partial entrapment, alongside two children who were unharmed. Sadly, Carla Sírio Leite, aged 38, and her partner Geovane Matsuda, aged 34, were pronounced dead at the scene. The situation has caused 29 displacements and three injuries, with power outages affecting nearly 32,000 households.
The impact of this severe weather across various municipalities highlights the urgent need for infrastructural improvements and comprehensive disaster management strategies. With climate change exacerbated by extreme weather patterns, cities must adapt to prevent future tragedies.
Support from civil protection units continues as teams work tirelessly during the storms to provide assistance and conduct evaluations to mitigate damage. These coordinated efforts are aimed at ensuring community safety and restoring order amid one of São Paulo State's most challenging weather crises.