The local news media in Salvador, the capital of the Northeastern state of Bahia, are reporting that heavy rains that began on April 26, have led to flooding and mudslides in the capital city. Due to the amount of rain, landslides have caused the deaths of 21 people.
The rain began last month and has not subsided. On April 29, 2015, The Rio Times‘ Jay Forte reported “265 incidents, including 147 landslides, 17 floods and 21 collapses of buildings and walls.” At that point, the death toll was 15 people. That number has risen to 21 as of today.
Some residents that live in 10 areas designated as flood risk zones have been asked by the government to evacuate. In some areas, schools have been closed.
Some families have placed large garbage bags out of their windows so that the rain bypasses their homes, many of which are built on sand. The Northeast is currently in the midst of its rain season.
Conversely, the Southeast part of the country (Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro) is suffering through the worst drought in nearly a century.
This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of the award-winning news blog, the Burton Wire. She is currently reporting from Salvador in Bahia. Follow her on Twitter @Ntellectual.Â
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