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Floods and Urban Flooding Caused by Heavy Rains Affect Cities in Minas and Activate Civil Defense.
Heavy rains hit municipalities in the Central-West of Minas Gerais, causing urban flooding, river overflows, and damage to infrastructure.
During the night of Friday (23) and early Saturday (24), the greatest impacts occurred in Formiga, Itapecerica, and Pedra do Indaiá.
The Civil Defense is monitoring the situation due to the risk of new occurrences, as the forecast indicates continued rain.
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The phenomenon reached urban areas, compromised public roads, invaded homes, and hindered the mobility and safety of the population.
Thus, the intensity of the rain over a short period worsened the scenario and favored flash floods and localized landslides.
Regional Monitoring and Attention in Divinópolis
In Divinópolis, the largest city in the region, the Itapecerica River showed a significant rise.
The level was 65 centimeters above normal and kept the municipality on alert.
The teams continue with continuous monitoring, especially due to the recent history of accumulated rains.
On Friday (24), the city recorded 51 millimeters of rain. For this Saturday, the forecast indicates an additional 21 millimeters.
In light of this, authorities emphasize the need for constant monitoring, particularly in riverside areas.
Formiga Records Historic Rainfall Volume and Structural Damage
Formiga faced the most critical scenario.
According to the Civil Defense, the rainfall accumulated in the last 24 hours reached 211 millimeters, more than double that recorded in equivalent periods in previous years.
Thus, the City Hall classified the index as unprecedented in recent years.
As a result, rivers overflowed, especially the Formiga River and the Mata-Cavalo River.
At least 18 points in the city experienced urban flooding, with the greatest impact in lower neighborhoods and the central region.
Consequently, water invaded homes and public roads.
The city confirmed the existence of displaced and homeless individuals, but no fatalities were recorded.
Teams from the Municipal Health Department, Civil Defense, and the mayor followed actions in the streets, provided assistance to affected families, and monitored risk areas.
Três Irmãos Bridge Closed Due to Risk of Collapse
Heavy rains also damaged the Três Irmãos Bridge, one of the main road links in Formiga.
After determining the compromise of the structure, the Civil Defense completely closed access.
The City Hall isolated the area and warned the population not to access the location due to the risk of collapse.
Given the severity, the municipality initiated a detailed technical evaluation to identify the extent of the damage, both to the bridge and to other points in the city.
According to the municipal executive, the priority is to ensure the safety of the population.
Therefore, the municipality may maintain traffic restrictions and adopt emergency interventions until the completion of technical reports.
Itapecerica Records Rapid Rise of the Vermelho River
In Itapecerica, electronic rain gauges recorded 57 millimeters of rain in just four hours, according to the Civil Defense.
The system sends data in real-time to the National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters (Cemaden).
The significant volume raised the level of the Vermelho River by about two meters.
In the central section, the water did not exceed the bridges, but there was localized overflow in the Bom Jesus neighborhood and nearby areas, which remain under monitoring.
The city recorded two landslides, one on Camacho Road and another near the Country Club.
Thus, teams acted quickly, conducted cleanup, and cleared the roads, restoring traffic.
Pedra do Indaiá Faces Short-Duration Flash Flood
In Pedra do Indaiá, a flash flood hit the urban area on the night of Friday (23).
The 10th Military Fire Battalion began responding at 9:05 PM, after calls from residents and the City Hall.
According to the Fire Department, approximately 50 homes were impacted.
Reports indicate that the water level rose quickly and reached about 1.5 meters, characterizing a typical short-duration flash flood event.
After the peak, the water naturally drained away and did not leave any individuals stranded.
The City Hall reported that the engineering sector has been conducting inspections since last Sunday (18).
So far, there are no records of collapses or compromises in risk areas.
Civil Defense Reinforces Guidelines and Alerts for New Episodes
With the forecast of more rain in the coming days, the Civil Defense reinforces its guidelines to the population.
Residents should avoid flooded areas, not cross flooded streets or bridges, and stay updated with official announcements.
In risk situations, the recommendation is to seek safe shelter, contact the appropriate authorities, and leave the property if the water level rises.
The hydrological risk remains moderate and requires continuous attention, especially in areas near rivers and streams.
Municipal teams continue in the field, conducting urban cleanup, clearing drains, and assessing the damage caused by the heavy rains that affected the region.
See more at: Heavy Storm in Minas Leaves Homeless and Rivers Overflow | G1
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