São Paulo, Brazil, is grappling with intense rainfall and its consequences, as the city was put on alert for flooding on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 25, 2023. According to the Centro de Gerenciamento de Emergências (CGE), various regions of São Paulo faced significant water accumulation, culminating in the declaration of flooding alerts.
The CGE announced at 4:56 PM local time the city’s state of attention, which continued until 7:15 PM, indicating the potential for severe flooding conditions. Notably, Itaquera, located in the eastern part of the city, was under heightened alert due to the severity of the rainfall, which became increasingly disastrous. Throughout the day, the rains had already left over 46,000 homes without electricity, later reported by Enel, the electric utility company.
Reports indicated at around 6 PM, nearly 41,900 properties were still experiencing power outages. Emergency services received several calls, with 7 reports of fallen trees and 2 related to flooding issues. Residents captured dramatic footage, showing streets like Rua Plínio Barreto overflowing with rainwater and the intersections of Avenida Rebouças and Avenida Faria Lima resembling rivers due to the heavy downpour.
Weather experts attributed the intense rain to the combination of high temperatures and humidity, resulting from maritime breezes. This created conditions ripe for the formation of heavy rain showers, leading to the current hazardous weather scenario. The CGE utilized its radar technology to monitor affected areas, with the hardest-hit regions including Pinheiros and Vila Mariana.
Forecasts from the CGE suggest significant precipitation will continue over the next few days, especially on Thursday and Friday, with expectations of accumulating rainfall between 50 to 100 mm. Detailed predictions anticipate continued cloudy weather with isolated rain showers intensifying, leading to persistent and heavy rain across both the city of São Paulo and its surrounding metropolitan areas.
On Thursday, December 26, the city can expect the rain to begin moderatively overnight, gaining strength as the day progresses. The climate conditions are not expected to allow for much temperature fluctuation, with forecasts claiming minimums of 20°C and maximums reaching around 24°C. Humidity levels are expected to remain high, with minimums around 75%.
The sustained precipitation could lead to increasing problems, particularly as the ground remains saturated from previous storms. By Friday, December 27, the excessive rainfall could heighten the risks of flooding, landslides, and other related hazards. Various neighborhoods continue to lead to concerns, including Lapa, Mooca, Santo Amaro, and others, where flood-prone areas have already displayed signs of significant if not catastrophic impacts.
Throughout the day, numerous videos circulated on social media, documenting alarming visuals of crowded streets and public transport terminals inundated with water. Members of the public shared their experiences, as they navigated through flooded areas, sometimes wading through waist-high water trying to board buses. Emergency workers reported managing the chaos, including responding to calls concerning flooding and storm damage.
Authorities have stressed remaining vigilant during such times of hardship. They are also warning citizens to avoid flooded areas as conditions remain hazardous. Despite the challenges posed by the weather, local airports, including Guarulhos and Congonhas, reported normal operations, indicating some structure amid the chaos.
Looking at current precipitation data, December has already accumulated over 123 mm of rainfall, equivalent to about 67.2% of the total expected for the month, hinting at potential for exceeding monthly projections should heavy rain continue. The city meteorological office continues to follow developments closely, giving timely updates and advice to citizens.
Given these adverse weather conditions, the community is currently urged to remain alert and prepare for more intense weather conditions, emphasizing preparedness for both immediate weather impacts and longer-term effects on infrastructure and utilities. With the forecasts leaning toward higher precipitation totals over the following days, residents are left grappling with the immediate impacts of flooding and power outages as they brace for what may come next.
