The death toll from torrential rains in Brazil's southeastern Minas Gerais state has risen to 68, according to local authorities on Friday, February 27, 2026. Rescue teams continue search operations as landslides and flooding displace thousands, with infrastructure damage hampering relief efforts.
Authorities have declared a state of emergency in multiple municipalities, urging residents in high-risk areas to evacuate. Meteorologists attribute the extreme weather to a persistent atmospheric blockage pattern, warning of additional rainfall through the weekend.
This disaster highlights growing climate challenges faced by regions worldwide, with scientists noting increased frequency of intense rainfall events in southeastern Brazil over the past decade. Emergency response coordination between state and federal agencies remains ongoing.
