A powerful storm wreaked havoc in southeastern Brazil, claiming the lives of at least 12 individuals and leaving seven others missing. The devastation unfolded in the mountainous area of Rio de Janeiro, where intense rainfall and winds battered the region. Climate experts have attributed the extreme weather event to the escalating impacts of climate change, underscoring the urgent need for climate action.

The deadly storm, which struck on Friday, exacerbated the already dire situation in Brazil, following recent wildfires that ravaged parts of the country. In Rio de Janeiro alone, eight people lost their lives, while four fatalities were reported in the neighboring region of Espirito Santo. Additionally, seven individuals remain unaccounted for, compounding the tragedy, as reported by AFP.

President Lula de Silva took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to address the catastrophic aftermath of the storm, emphasizing that hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced. The government has mobilized efforts to address the widespread damage caused by the tempest.

Heartbreaking accounts emerged from Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro, where a family of four perished when their home succumbed to the force of the storm. Tragically, rescue workers unearthed a child from the debris on Saturday morning after a grueling 16-hour ordeal. The child's father tragically lost his life while attempting to save his beloved offspring, highlighting the immense human toll of the disaster.

Amidst the chaos, two children injured in the storm in the Sao Paulo region have been hospitalized, receiving medical attention for their injuries.

In a concerted response to the crisis, army personnel and canine units have been deployed to assist storm victims, while local schools have opened their doors to provide shelter to those left homeless by the calamity. The tireless efforts of rescue teams have resulted in the successful extraction of 90 individuals trapped under rubble since Friday, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation.