Hydrosphere Journal Entry
Hydrosphere Journal Entry
Deadly Floods Rage in Brazil (April 10, 2010)
Map shows location of floods raging in southeastern Brazil. ISCGM.
The heaviest rains ever seen in Rio De Janeiro touched off deadly mudslides and floods in and around Brazil's second largest city. At least 145 people were killed, but the toll is expected to climb as rescuers dig through the rubble of collapsed homes. Most of the victims died when water-soaked ground gave way on steep, unstable hillsides surrounding the city. Massive walls of mud crashed down on flimsy homes in shantytowns along the slopes.
Floodwaters swamped major roads across the region. Businesses and schools shut down, while construction on buildings for the upcoming 2014 Olympics and 2016 World Cup soccer events was stopped. At its peak, eleven inches (28 centimeters) of rain drenched the city in less than 24 hours. The previous record was set back in 1966 when nine inches (22 cm) of rain pelted the city.
Disaster officials say more than 10,000 homes were threatened by potential slides in the city of six-million people. They warned the situation remained dangerous with more rain in the forecast.
