People of Rio De Janeiro are used to harsh weather but the latest round of rains has left them shocked. There are reports of at least 10 deaths and the Flash Floods have converted streets into rivers with cars swept away and trees uprooted. The runoff from neighboring hills added to the woes of the people as the water gushed through residential areas and deposited mud and debris. The city is a Travel destination and Copacabana and Ipanema are favorite tourist hot spots. The visitors have no other option but to endure the disturbance created by the natural disaster.

The situation forced the state emergency agency to declare a crisis.

The DailyMail UK reports the flash floods had uprooted many trees. These had fallen on many vehicles and public buses and crushed them leading to a breakdown of the transportation network. Commuters had to fend for themselves. The beaches, normally packed with people engaged in various outdoor activities, wore a deserted look. The condition was not one for enjoying but for staying out of harm’s way.

Rio de Janeiro should improve its infrastructure

The city has experienced heavy rain in the past, these have led to flash flooding, and the voluminous discharge of water damages its rail infrastructure.

One of the results is the break of road communication as traffic comes to a grinding halt. Rio de Janeiro mayor Marcelo Crivella admitted to a section of the media – “Many houses in Rio are built in areas that are inappropriate, in places where water flows. It's a tragedy and we have tried to warn these people.” Details of some of the deaths are known.

Three people were in a car buried behind a shopping center. Two more deaths were of women trapped in a house collapse plus a case of electrocution and another of drowning.

The DailyMail UK adds educational institutions had to suspend classes because there was no power in some of the areas.

Incessant rains led to complications in rescue and clean-up efforts. The city had faced torrential rain in February in which at least six people died. Such vagaries of nature have become an integral part of today and cities like Rio de Janeiro must try to improve its infrastructure to make it more robust so that it can withstand flash floods.

The administration must be prepared

According to Standard UK, Rio de Janeiro mayor Marcelo Crivella said his city faced a “crisis” but such rains are not new to the area. It seems the recent downfall was unprecedented with six inches of rain falling in just an hour on Monday night. It was considerably more than the average for the whole month of April and was the second major one within two months.

The authorities issued alerts in flood-risk areas urging residents to move out to safe locations because residences in hillsides are vulnerable to mudslides. However, in view of frequent occurrences, the administration must be prepared and ensure that it is it not caught off-guard.
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