Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rio de Janeiro (Agenzia Fides) – Nearly a hundred people died due to heavy rains that began Monday night, April 5th, in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, which has 16 million inhabitants, paralyzing the state capital. The 95 deaths officially recorded so far by the Civil Protection, are from among the cities of Rio de Janeiro, which has recorded 34 deaths, Niteroi, a satellite city connected to Rio by a bridge (closed due to wind), Sao Gonal, and the city of Nilópolis. The streets of Rio are in some areas completely covered by water and the 9 million inhabitants of the metropolis have found themselves in total chaos. Following the rains, thousands of people could not in fact come home after work and spent the night in their cars or taking refuge on the way back in the few shops that remained open.
Dramatically affected by the consequences of heavy rain are the numerous inhabitants of the favelas, who live in precarious housing, on land subject to landslides. In Morro das Mangueiras, a slum north of Rio, the Brazilian television showed aerial photographs of people who sought help from precarious buildings of three or four floors, which were on the brink of a precipice because of a huge landslide. This is the worst flood in the history of Rio de Janeiro.
This natural disaster has occurred while, in the Brasilia, the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops (CNBB) organized a discussion on the construction of the dam of Belo Monte, in Rio Xingu, in the state of Pará. The decision to hold this debate was made at the meeting of the Pastoral Council of the CNBB (Consep) in February, with the aim of involving society in the discussions for this work. On the occasion, the Council issued a statement in which it expresses its concern for the construction of the plant, due to the strong environmental impact and the forced displacement of families in the region. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 07/04/2010)
