Hope Fades as Brazil Rains Leave 46 Dead, 21 Missing

Hope is fading in southeastern Brazil as rescuers continue searching for 21 people still missing after torrential rains triggered floods and landslides that have killed at least 46 people.

A powerful downpour on Monday in the state of Minas Gerais turned streets into fast-moving torrents and unleashed landslides that swept away homes and buried residents.

The city of Juiz de Fora suffered the heaviest losses, with 40 deaths confirmed, while nearby Ubá reported six fatalities, according to emergency officials.

Authorities warned that further heavy rain is expected this week, raising fears of additional damage and complicating rescue efforts. Firefighters said the chances of finding more survivors are rapidly diminishing.

Families of the missing continue to search in anguish. One resident said her aunt died in a landslide, while a cousin was rescued but later succumbed to injuries in hospital. Two young children and a relative remain unaccounted for.

Rescuers also recovered the body of a man who reportedly managed to pull his wife to safety moments before a landslide engulfed their home.

In Ubá, residents waded through thick mud to clear debris after the river burst its banks. Shops, homes and vehicles were submerged, leaving widespread destruction. Business owners described scenes of chaos as floodwaters forced doors open and destroyed stock.

Officials said the rainfall was among the heaviest ever recorded for February in the region. Scientists have linked the growing frequency and severity of such disasters in Brazil to climate change.

The tragedy follows a series of extreme weather events across the country. In 2024, catastrophic floods in southern Brazil killed more than 200 people and affected millions, while a devastating deluge in 2022 in the city of Petrópolis left 241 dead.