Current Event #1: Mudslides in Brazil

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/17/world/americas/17brazil.html?ref=americas

        

    This article concerns recent flooding within Brazil. As of the date this article was published, January 16th, and according to Rio de Janeiro State officials the death toll had climbed to 617 , with nearly 14,000 reported homeless or having abandoned their homes. This has been Brazil's deadliest natural disaster. The country has enjoyed a history almost free of such instances of extreme weather. However, in the last few years flooding and high wind storms have become a new norm. This poses a serious problem, seeing as the country is very ill prepared for such disasters. In the instance of this flooding around Rio de Janeiro, the hillside areas lacked early warning systems and/or effective community organization. Brazil as a whole and Rio state officials have been taking some action. Last year a national emergency management system was established and it is working on an integrated system that would strengthen disaster management in all states. Also, officials have tried to relocate some groups out of high-risk areas, but with mixed results.

    This article seems particularly relevant. In class, we have been discussing that climate change is bringing about more instances of extreme weather, heavy precipitation in this particular instance. Here we have Brazil, a country who has enjoyed a very stable climate with no history of severe flooding, and in the last two decades the rain-related disasters have reportedly affected nearly five million people. What is even more concerning, is that they are not prepared for such events and as a result many people are being killed in these floods. With climate change producing these instances of extreme weather seemingly on the increase, more and more areas are going to be affected. Preparations and precautions need to be made/taken.