Catastrophic Flooding And Landslides In Juiz De Fora, Brazil

In a devastating turn of events, southeastern Brazil has been hit hard by torrential rains, leading to catastrophic flooding and landslides that have resulted in at least 30 fatalities. As of February 25, 2026, the number of individuals reported missing has risen to 43, intensifying the search efforts by rescuers in the region, particularly in the city of Juiz de Fora, located in the state of Minas Gerais. Major Demetrius Goulart of the local fire brigade emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "Many people were inside their homes at night when it was raining," which underscores the suddenness of the disaster. The National Institute of Meteorology has issued heavy-rain alerts for several states, indicating that more rain is expected in the coming days, further complicating rescue operations and recovery efforts.