Authorities in the southern state of Paraná on Wednesday estimated that there are at least 30 people missing after landslides occurred on the federal highway BR-376. Two people are confirmed dead.
A large landslide struck the road early Monday night after heavier-than-average rainfall, sweeping away at least 16 vehicles and fully blocking traffic. Six people have been rescued, and the search for survivors continues, with a team of 54 firefighters in the area.
Colonel Manoel Vasco, commander of the local Fire Department, said in a press conference today that rainfall is expected to increase in the next few days, which might cause new landslides.
Last week, Senator Randolfe Rodrigues, a member of the opposition and a supporter of President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, said there are not enough funds in the 2023 budget for emergencies related to floods. The numbers are cause for concern because the month of January typically comes with heavy rains that provoke deadly floods and landslides across Brazil.
Paraná state’s Public Security Department told The Brazilian Report there was no need yet to request federal funds for rescue efforts.
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