Climate experts have warned that intense rainstorms — and their devastating effects — are going to become more frequent as the Earth’s atmosphere warms.
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/-feel-powerless-families-devastated-brazils-deadly-mudslides-rcna16739
Feb. 18, 2022, 9:35 AM EST
By Carolina Torres and Leonardo Coelho
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In Morro da Oficina, where Arcaminate has looked for her relatives, 80 houses disappeared in a matter of minutes. As of Friday, 117 bodies had been found, and more than 100 people were still missing.
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Located almost 3,000 feet above sea level, Petrópolis has a population of around 300,000 and is an important tourist destination in the region. Less than an hour from the famous capital, the town attracts thousands of tourists every year. It is also known for its summer rains.
According to meteorologists, the recent storm that hit the area delivered an entire month of expected rain in just three hours. The deluge also hit a very specific part of town, soaking the already thick soil that sits above a layer of rock. The massive weight triggered mudslides that cascaded down the steep slopes, destroying dozens of homes and quickly overflowing the city’s historical center. Many in its path were trapped and could not escape.
Such rainstorms, once rare, are becoming more common — as are their devastating effects. Similar storms and floods hit Europe in July, with climate experts warning that such storms are going to become more frequent as the Earth’s atmosphere warms.
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He added that this disaster is also an example of the effects of climate change.
“Abnormal events like these rains, that used to be rare, are happening with increasing frequency here and around the world,” Artaxo said.
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