‘Unprecedented’ Tornado Tears Through Southern brazil, Killing At Least Six
RIO BONITO DO IGUAÇU, BRAZIL – An exceptionally powerful tornado ripped through the state of Paraná in southern Brazil on Friday, leaving a trail of devastation and claiming the lives of at least six people. The twister, described as “unprecedented” by Governor Ratinho Junior, caused widespread destruction, leveling structures not typically vulnerable too such events. “Any house, or even a commercial building, will remain standing. We saw silos collapsing, gas stations,” the governor saeid.
The rare and intense weather event underscores the increasing vulnerability of regions to extreme weather, even those not historically prone to tornadoes. While tornadoes are not unheard of in Brazil, their frequency and intensity are rising, prompting concerns about the impact of climate change and the need for improved disaster preparedness.
Aerial footage revealed the extent of the damage, with roofs torn from buildings and some structures reduced to rubble. The fatalities include three men aged 49, 57, and 83, and two women, aged 47 and 14, all in Rio Bonito do Iguaçu. A 53-year-old man was also killed in the nearby city of Guarapuava, and one person remains missing.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, and authorities caution that the death toll may rise as they continue to gather information from family members. Details regarding the number of homeless and displaced individuals are still being compiled. In response to the crisis, a state of “public calamity” has been declared, enabling the goverment to mobilize resources and request federal assistance.
Climatempo, a Brazilian weather forecasting channel, reports the cyclone is linked to a cold front and could produce wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and São Paulo. The forecast predicts the system will move offshore by Sunday, potentially impacting the coasts of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo. Authorities are urging residents to avoid open areas and remain vigilant regarding potential hazards from falling structures, trees, and power lines.
