Decree in "state of crisis" in Rio de Janeiro by floods – El Ancasti

The Municipality of Rio de Janeiro said Wednesday night "the state of crisis" due to heavy rains, with winds of up to 110 km per hour, which caused flooding, the fall of 39; trees and fear of landslides in favelas. Authorities announced that there were three deaths.

The Rio Operations Center (COR) has asked the Cariocas "to only move in cases of extreme necessity", to warn the authorities in case of "signs of cracks" in the houses and d & rsquo; Be attentive to "sirens", warning of the risk of landslides.

The southern zone, the most touristy area, where favelas and luxury residential areas are juxtaposed, has been one of the most punished.

In the Rocinha favela, the largest in the city, 153.2 millimeters of water fell in four hours, more than half of the February average.

Winds up to 110 km / hour have been blowing in Copacabana, killing several trees on Copacabana's busy Nossa Senhora Avenue, parallel to the beach, the CoR said.

An AFP journalist said that several streets emerging from Botafogo Beach were flooded, with fallen trees and traffic jams.

There were also light cuts in the populated area to the west and north of the city.

"The state of crisis" is the third and most important warning about precipitation that can cause floods or landslides.

The weather forecast for Thursday is moderate rain, gusty winds and moderate to strong winds. The maximum being 31C, in austral summer.

Rio experienced the hottest January of this year since the beginning of the official archives in 1922, with an average temperature of 37.4 degrees Celsius.