According to local media , about 25 people died on Tuesday and hundreds were displaced in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais after relentless, record-breaking rainfall triggered landslides and flash floods.
47 people were missing and the state fire department confirmed 16 deaths in the city of Juiz de Fora and others in Uba, about 110 km away from the area, as per local authorities.
About 440 people have been displaced in Juiz de Fora, the city hall said, as the rain triggered flooding and landslides and forced the suspension of classes in municipal schools, reports Reuters.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva offered his condolences in a post on social media platform X.
"Our focus is to ensure humanitarian assistance, the restoration of basic services, support for displaced people, and aid for reconstruction."
Brazil's government has recognized a state of calamity in Juiz de Fora, speeding up relief and humanitarian aid.
Brazil's state fire department informed that 136 officials were deployed while specialized teams have mobilized to respond to incidents and search for missing people.
Hundreds displaced:
Currently more than 440 displaced residents are being sheltered in three public schools, their homes destroyed or deemed too dangerous to re-enter.
Several videos shared on social media showed widespread devastation caused by the rain, with muddy waters carrying vehicles and other debris through the city and several buildings collapsing.
As per Juiz de Fora city hall, this has been the rainiest February in the city's history, with rainfall already more than double the amount expected for the month.
Much of Brazil enters the peak of its rainy season during summer, from December to March, bringing frequent intense downpours, thunderstorms, flooding, and mudslides.
Previously, Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology weather forecast agency issued heavy rain alerts on Tuesday February 24, 2026 for parts of 14 states, including the entire area of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro.
Furthermore, Mayor Margarida Salomao said in a statement on social media that the situation was "critical."