Santa Catarina issues a climate alert for 180 days due to the risk of heavy rains, flooding, and possible advancement of El Niño.

Written by Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Published on 22/05/2026 at 09:47

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Decree signed by Jorginho Mello provides for mobilization of state agencies, use of Civil Defense resources, and criteria for municipalities to declare emergencies in the face of the risk of extreme events associated with El Niño

Santa Catarina will be on climate alert for 180 days following a decree signed this Monday (18) by Governor Jorginho Mello. The preventive measure aims to anticipate actions against heavy rains, floods, and other extreme events linked to El Niño, with mobilization of state agencies and use of Civil Defense resources. This article includes data from Agência Brasil.

Climate alert is not an emergency or calamity situation

The decree creates a state of climate alert focused on prevention, monitoring, and quick response. The measure does not represent a decree of emergency or public calamity, but prepares the State to act before extreme events cause greater damage.

The decision provides for investment in monitoring, training, and modernization of dams. The intention is to strengthen the state government’s response structure, especially in the face of the risk of heavy rains and floods associated with El Niño.

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Decree defines criteria for affected municipalities

The climate alert establishes objective criteria for affected municipalities to declare a state of emergency. Among them are rainfall above 80 millimeters in 24 hours, displacement of families, interruption of essential services, and landslides.

The criteria also include orange or red level alerts issued by the state Civil Defense. These parameters serve to guide municipalities and accelerate responses in areas affected by extreme events.

The decree is valid until November, but the period may be extended. The measure was adopted in a state that has already suffered major floods associated with El Niño, such as those recorded in 1983 and 2023.

Santa Catarina issues alert — Image: Valter Campanato/Agência Brasil

El Niño has a probability above 80% starting in July

National studies and analyses from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, indicate a probability above 80% of El Niño occurring as early as July. At the beginning of May, the situation was neutral in the tropical Pacific.

The forecast points to a warming of more than half a degree starting in July. The phenomenon is characterized by the alteration of the temperature of the Pacific Ocean waters and can influence the rainfall regime in different regions.

According to the American agency, the current forecast indicates greater intensity of El Niño between December 2026 and January 2027.

The most recent bulletin also indicates an increased risk of variation exceeding two degrees between November 2026 and February 2027.

Southern Brazil may have above-average rainfall

Cemaden released updated analyses on Thursday (14) about the possible formation of the climatic phenomenon and its impacts on the gaucho territory. The document indicates the possibility of a new El Niño episode throughout 2026.

The analyses indicate a higher probability of occurrence during this year’s spring and the summer of 2027. The scenarios suggest a trend of above-average rainfall in different regions of Rio Grande do Sul and temperatures above the climatological standard in certain periods.

Institutes linked to the Ministries of Agriculture and Science, Technology, and Innovation also warn of the risk of rainfall in the South. The material points to greater difficulty in food production, with instability for crops such as rice, beans, and corn.

This article was prepared based on information from the Santa Catarina government news agency, NOAA, Cemaden, and institutes linked to the Ministries of Agriculture and Science, Technology, and Innovation, with data, numbers, and statements preserved according to the material consulted.

Data from Agência Brasil.

Santa Catarina issues a climate alert for 180 days due to the risk of heavy rains, flooding, and possible advancement of El Niño.

Decree signed by Jorginho Mello provides for mobilization of state agencies, use of Civil Defense resources, and criteria for municipalities to declare emergencies in the face of the risk of extreme events associated with El Niño

Climate alert is not an emergency or calamity situation

Decree defines criteria for affected municipalities

El Niño has a probability above 80% starting in July

Southern Brazil may have above-average rainfall

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Santa Catarina issues a climate alert for 180 days due to the risk of heavy rains, flooding, and possible advancement of El Niño.

Decree signed by Jorginho Mello provides for mobilization of state agencies, use of Civil Defense resources, and criteria for municipalities to declare emergencies in the face of the risk of extreme events associated with El Niño

Climate alert is not an emergency or calamity situation

Decree defines criteria for affected municipalities

El Niño has a probability above 80% starting in July

Southern Brazil may have above-average rainfall

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