News

Brazil Mudslides Kill at Least 94, Dozens Still Missing

Published

3 years ago

February 17, 2022

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.

Related Topics:Accessmagazine Accessnews AccessNewsMagazine Brazil foreign Mudslides NewsUpdate

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Commission, journalists partner to revamp water sector in Kaduna

Published

2 weeks ago

December 16, 2024

Saadatu Sahabo

The Kaduna State Water Services Regulatory Commission (KADWREC) says it is partnering media practitioners towards revamping water services in the state.

Mr Dogara Bashir, the Executive Chairman of KADWREC, disclosed this on Monday at a one-day workshop organised for media practitioners on regulation of ‘Water, Sanitation and Hygiene’ (WASH) activities held in Kaduna.

Bashir said the commission was aware of the importance of the role media practitioners played in the society.

He stated that the workshop was to provide an avenue to liaise with them as important stakeholders on water supply and sanitation services in the state.

Bashir said: “As media practitioners, we believe you are a gateway to the citizens so, the workshop would acquaint you with some of the regulations already in place so that you can in turn transmit it to the public

“The state of water services in Kaduna State is in dire need of attention and the State Water Corporation and KADWREC were established towards addressing the seeming challenges.

“The commission is mandated to ensure better service delivery and regulation of water and sanitation services in the State.

“The idea is that once the regulations are developed, we send them to the State Ministry of Justice to gazette and then we get the state government to endorse and give the go ahead to commence the implementation of the regulations

“We intend to implement them fully come January, 2025 God willing, as we have embarked on advocacy activities having gone to zones 1 and 2 where we talked to traditional rulers, security agencies and the Judiciary.”

He disclosed that a special Court has already been attached to the commission by the Chief Judge of the State for service providers who may likely violate regulations.

The chairman further said that amongst the commission’s objectives include ensuring security, reliability and quality of service in the production and delivery of water to the consumers as well making regulations to control the sinking of boreholes.

Others included; maximising access to water services by promoting and facilitating consumer connections to distribution systems in urban and rural areas.

According to Bashir, they also include ensuring that regulatory decision-making has regards to all the relevant health, safety, environmental and social legislation applying to the water sector.

Bashir further said that the commission collaborate with the relevant state and federal agencies on water policies.

Crime

2 ladies docked for allegedly obtaining money by fraud

Published

2 weeks ago

December 16, 2024

Saadatu Sahabo

The police in Lagos have dragged two women, Mmesuma Ofunna, and Blessing Adimekwe, before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, over alleged obtaining money by false pretence.

Ofunna, 22, and Adimekwe, 25, were arraigned before the Magistrate, Mr L K J Layeni, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, stealing and conduct likely to breach peace.

They each, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, ASP Simon Uche, told the court that the defendants conspired with others now at large, to commit the offence on Oct. 26 at the Okokomaiko area of Ojo.

He alleged that they had obtained the sum of N70, 000 from one Faith Ahamefule, with a promise not to post her nude photo on social media.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendants later posted the nude photo of the nominal complainant on social media, knowing that their promise was false.

He alleged that they stole the N70, 0000, thereby conducting themselves in a manner likely to breach public peace.

The offence contravenes the provisions of sections 168(d), 287, 314, and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The court granted the defendants bails in the sum of N500, 000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.

He adjourned the case until Jan. 8, 2025 for mention.

Headlines

Driver jailed 6 months for attempting to steal a car

Published

2 weeks ago

December 16, 2024

Saadatu Sahabo

A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Monday, sentenced a 37-year-old driver, Ahmad Umar to six months in imprisonment for attempting to steal a car.

The Magistrate, Shawomi Bokkos, summarily tried and sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

Bokkos in his judgment, ordered the convict to pay an option of N30, 000 fine or spend six months in prison.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Ibrahim Gokwat, told the court that the case was reported on Oct. 10, at the Area Command Police station through a distress call by one Sydney Peacemorie the complainant.

Gokwat said the complainant parked his Toyota RAV4 in front of Access Bank and went inside to carry out some transactions, only to return to find the convict inside his car.

“The convict unlawfully opened the car and was in the driver’s seat when the complainant raised alarm and he was apprehended, but his accomplice escaped.

“The convict was severely beaten by a mob but was rescued by the police,” said Gokwat.

“The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the Plateau Penal Code Law.