News
Brazil Mudslides Kill at Least 94, Dozens Still Missing
The state administration of Rio de Janeiro has reported 94 deaths as a result of floods and mudslides in Petropolis, which swept away homes and cars. Even as families prepared to bury their loved ones, it was unclear how many bodies were still trapped in the mud on Thursday.
The mayor of the German-influenced community tucked in the mountains, Rubens Bontempo, refused to even give an estimate for the number of people missing, even though recovery efforts are still ongoing.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Bomtempo stated, “We don’t yet know the entire scope of this.” “It was a trying day, a trying day.”
Survivors were hunting for lost loved ones more than 24 hours after the devastating rainfall early Tuesday. The public prosecutors’ office in Rio de Janeiro announced in a statement Wednesday night that it had produced a list of 35 people who had yet to be found.
Survivors were hunting for lost loved ones more than 24 hours after the catastrophic deluge early Tuesday. The public prosecutors’ office in Rio de Janeiro announced in a statement Wednesday night that it had produced a list of 35 people who had yet to be found.
Streams dragged cars and houses through the streets, as the water swirled across the city, according to footage shared on social media. Two buses were seen sliding into a flooded river as passengers scrambled for safety through the open windows. Some people didn’t make it to the banks and were washed away, hidden from view.
Houses were covered beneath mud on Wednesday morning, with appliances and cars piled in the streets.
Petropolis, named for a previous Brazilian monarch, has long been a haven for locals seeking relief from the summer heat and tourists eager to see the “Imperial City.”
Its wealth has attracted residents from Rio’s poorer neighborhoods. Its population developed recklessly, clinging to the edges of mountainsides that were now densely packed with little houses. Many live in unsuitable places for construction, which are made more vulnerable by deforestation and poor drainage.
On Tuesday, the state fire department reported that 25.8 centimeters (just over 10 inches) of rain fell in three hours, nearly as much as had fallen over the previous 30 days combined. Claudio Castro, the governor of Rio de Janeiro, claimed in a press conference that the rains were the worst the city had seen since 1932.
“No one could have predicted such heavy rain,” Castro stated. According to weather predictions, more rain is on the way for the rest of the week.
Castro went on to say that about 400 people were displaced and that 24 people were found alive.
The stricken mountain region has seen similar catastrophes in recent decades, including one that caused more than 900 deaths. In the years since Petropolis presented a plan to reduce risks of landslides, but works have been advancing only slowly. The plan, presented in 2017, was based on analysis determining that 18% of the city’s territory was at high risk for landslides and flooding.
Local authorities say more than 180 residents who live in at-risk areas are sheltering in schools. More equipment and manpower are expected to help rescue efforts on Thursday.
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro expressed solidarity while on a trip to Russia. Petropolis’ city hall declared three days of mourning for the tragedy.
Similar disasters have struck the mountainous region in recent decades, including one that killed over 900 people. Since then, Petropolis has presented a strategy to lessen the risk of landslides, but progress has been slow. The plan, which was published in 2017, was based on an analysis that found 18 percent of the city’s land was at high risk of landslides and flooding.
More than 180 residents in high-risk locations are taking refuge in schools, according to local authorities. On Thursday, more equipment and staff would be deployed to aid rescue attempts.
While on a tour to Russia, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro voiced solidarity. The city of Petropolis has established three days of mourning in honor of the tragedy.
Heavy rains have pounded southeastern Brazil since the beginning of the year, resulting in more than 40 deaths between incidents in Minas Gerais state in early January and Sao Paulo state later that month.
The Port Harcourt Refinery, managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) through the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC) has commenced operations after undergoing rehabilitation and modernisation.
The refinery with 210,000 bpd refining capacity located at Alesa, Eleme, in Port Harcourt, comprises two operational units which were established in 1965 and 1989.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the old plant refines a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day (bpd), while the new plant refines 150,000 bpd.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government, under former President, Muhammadu Buhari, had in March 2021 secured a 1.5 billion dollars loan to rehabilitate the facility which contract was awarded to an Italian firm, Tecnimont S.P.A, a subsidiary of Maire Tecnimont Group.
NAN) reports that Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd. is leading the team to inspect the first lifting of petroleum product from the facility after its rehabilitation.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking Persons (NAPTIP) says it is proposing the establishment of a command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to tackle cases of Violence against Persons (VAP).
The Director-General of the agency, Mrs Binta-Adamu Bello, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during the 2024 stakeholder’s coordination meeting on implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015 and corresponding state laws.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was supported by Ford Foundation to commemorate the first day of the 2024 Global 16 Days of Activism, an annual campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.
The NAPTIP boss said that the establishment of the FCT command would further solidify the agency’s commitment toward eradicating social menace, especially with the issue of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the nation’s capital.
According to the NAPTIP boss, it is expected that the command will enhance quicker response to SGBV cases, improve coordination among stakeholders, provide specialised support services for survivors and strengthen investigation and prosecution.
She said that the command would serve as a model for other states and strengthen stakeholders’ collective efforts to eradicate SGBV within the FCT, while inviting the stakeholders’ input and expertise in facilitating the move.
She said “I have strong conviction that we will leave here with renewed vision toward eradicating the ills associated with violence against persons and in turn, make the country safer and more habitable.
“It is gratifying to note that this meeting is holding on the first day of the Global 16 Days of Activism, which is an annual campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.
“The theme for this year is “Towards Beijing +30: Unite to End Violence against Women and Girls”, which resonates with the 30th anniversary review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and platform for action.
“At this point, I must commend the efforts of Ford Foundation for graciously supporting this meeting under the project “Strengthening Government Approach in Preventing and Responding SGBV.”
She reiterated NAPTIP’s commitment to work with states, the mandate Secretary of the Women Affairs Secretariat of the FCT and Civil Society Organisations to implement laws that abhor
Violence against women and girls.
Mrs Tolulola Odugbesan, the acting Director, VAP Department, NAPTIP, said that the coordination meeting was an opportunity for stakeholders to connect, proffer guidance, reflect on concerns, review successes and identify gaps.
She added that the meeting was also to discuss challenges, assess the level and effectiveness of intervention efforts and proffer recommendations and far-reaching strategies associated with the implementation of the VAPP Act 2015.
The Plateau Government says it has concluded arrangements to organise free medical care for 200,000 residents.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Cletus Shukuk, made the disclosure on Monday in Jos at the official launch of “Project 10 Million; Know Your Number, Control Your Number.”
Shukuk explained that the free medical care was basically screening for hypertension and diabetes, which were non-communicable diseases.
The commissioner stated that the programme was a comprehensive intervention strategically in line with the national campaign of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum to combat the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases.
According to him, the project would provide immediate counselling and referral and would also link newly diagnosed patients to treatment facilities.
Shurkuk further said that the increased public awareness would be carried out on hypertension and diabetes.
“The project would support the creation of a hypertension and diabetes register and, in turn, improve data collection, which would enhance health care policies and planning.
“The screening will be conducted in the 17 local government areas and will be done in selected primary and secondary health care facilities.
“I wish to call on the people of the state to avail themselves for the screening exercise to enable them to know their blood pressure and blood sugar level status,” he advised.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mrs Helen Mutfwang, the wife of the governor of Plateau, was made the ambassador of the “project 10 million.”
News flash: Port Harcourt refinery begins operation
NAPTIP to establish command in FCT to tackle violence, SGBV cases
Plateau to organise free medical care for 200,000 residents
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