600mm of rainfall in just 12 hours triggers dozens of landslides near Sao Paulo, Brazil

Sentinel-2 MSI acquired on 10 February 2023 at 13:12:41 UTC
Sentinel-2 MSI acquired on 25 February 2023 at 13:12:49 UTC
Author(s): Sentinel Vision team, VisioTerra, France - svp@visioterra.fr
Keyword(s): Coastal, emergency, climate change, urban planning, orographic precipitations, flooding, landslides, Brazil
Fig. 1 - S2 (25.02.2023) - Following torrential rainfall, dozens of scars gash this coastal landscape east of Sao Paulo.
2D view
On 19 February 2023, 600 mm of rainfall fell in just 12h on northern São Paulo coast, Brazil, including peak rainfall of 140 mm per hour. The event triggered floods and tens of landslides. At least 48 people have been killed with a further 38 people reported to be missing.
Fig. 2 - S2 (10 & 25.02.2023) - Extreme rainfalls are frequent on the slopes of Brazilian Highlands, often leading to fatal landslides.
2D view 2D view 2D view 2D view
According to Dave Petley, the town has built up on an area that is probably formed primarily from previous slope failures. The houses push right up to the foot of the slopes, likely formed from deeply weathered soils, making them were extremely exposed to such hazards.
The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency or the European Union.
Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2024, processed by VisioTerra.
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