A storm with heavy rain and strong winds swept through the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo and its surroundings. At least eight people died as a result of the disaster.
At least eight people were killed and millions were left without power after heavy rainfall and strong winds hit Brazil's most populous city, Sao Paulo, and surrounding regions on Friday evening.
Authorities said Saturday that fatalities were reported in four different cities, including Sao Paulo. One person died after a tree fell on her stand. Civil defense and fire brigade units helped to remove the effects of the storm, such as fallen trees and collapsed walls of buildings.
The speed of wind gusts exceeded 100 kilometers per hour in places. According to the authorities, it was one of the strongest storms for 29 years – the last time there was such a strong wind was in 1995. The storm also closed several airports and interrupted water supplies in several areas.
It was raining so heavily that local media reported that officials in the Chamber of Deputies – the lower house of Brazil's congress – were forced to use umbrellas because water was leaking through the roof.
Power outages after the storm
Brazilian electricity distribution company Enel reported on social media that up to 2.1 million customers experienced a power outage on Friday night.
On Saturday, local authorities said about 1.4 million residents were still without power in the Sao Paulo metropolitan area. In some places, restoring electricity is expected to last until Monday.
Reuters, TeleSUR, AP, G1 Globo, BBC
Main photo source: JUUNIORCORREIA/X/Reuters