At least six people have died in the storm in northeastern Brazil, thousands have fled their homes | Weather News

Surveys show that there have been more storms in the country, as Pernambuco and Paraiba have also been hit.

At least six people have died in torrential rains in northeastern Brazil, while thousands have been displaced, according to government officials.

The deaths were reported in the states of Pernambuco and Paraiba on Saturday, following two days of rain.

In Pernambuco, floods and landslides were reported in Recife, the state capital. At least two people were confirmed dead in the city. Two other people were killed near Olinda.

About 1,500 people were evacuated due to the storm.

In Paraiba, the capital of the state, Joao Pessoa and the city of Campina Grande are among the most affected. At least two people were confirmed killed in the state, while 1,500 were displaced.

The National Center for Risk and ⁠Disaster Management said it had issued 22 emergency alerts for the rain.

“Due to the current crisis in Pernambuco and Paraiba and the weather forecast in the region, operations have been raised to be alert,” it said.

The ministry said the rain had eased on Saturday, but urged continued vigilance.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on X that he had spoken to government officials to offer aid.

“The government continues to monitor the situation to provide any assistance,” he said.

A study released last year by the Brazilian Alliance for Ocean Culture found that rain-related disasters, including floods and landslides, will triple in Brazil from 1991 to 2023.

In February, at least 64 people were killed by floods and landslides in the state of Minas Gerais.

In 2024, at least 183 people were killed by floods in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

In 2022, 233 people died due to flooding in the city of Petropolis in the southeast of Brazil.

Three months later, about 130 people were killed by heavy rains in Recife.