Brazil: President Lula asked God to stop the rains

Local media reported that “the worst storm in history, has already killed over 100 people in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which is under water due to heavy storms.”

Heavy rains fell on Monday, flooding large areas of the region and causing landslides, especially in the poorest areas of the city.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, said to the people who lives in houses in danger of collapse to ‘leave their homes, before putting their lives at risk. “

And “We need to raise awareness in order to stop the risk areas, especially those who inhabit the mountain slopes”

The president criticized the condition of the damaged infrastructure in Rio de Janeiro but said that “we must wait for the rains to stop before making improvements.”

Sergio Cabral, governor of Rio, declared ‘a state of emergency in the territory because of the storm, which also caused power cuts and traffic chaos.”

The most affected city by the weather phenomenon was the capital, Rio de Janeiro, but there were also dead people registered in Niterói, São Gonçalo, Nilópolis, Paracambi and Petrópolis.

Eduardo Paes, Rio’s Mayor, ordered “the suspension of classes and asked the population to remain in their homes.”

He also reported that “the transport system is near the collapse. The situation is a total chaos,” and that “all major city streets are closed due to flooding. “

Paes admitted that “his city did not take it with the level of rainfall, which accumulated about 30 inches of rain in 24 hours.”

And said that “On a scale of zero to ten, Rio is not prepared to heavy rains like this, so we have a zero.”

Forecasters said ‘the storm was also accompanied by a cold front which brought winds that registered a speed of 75 kilometers per hour. “

The head of state canceled a visit to Rio because of the heavy rains. Lula had traveled to the city to inaugurate improvement works in the ‘favela.’

The president stated that “Today it’s raining in Rio as it rains in a month and all we can do now is ask God to please stop the rain, so we can continue living in the city.”

The Government declared 3 days of national mourning.