6 Killed as Powerful Storm Sweeps across Brazil

At least six people have died after a powerful storm swept across Brazil, triggering severe weather warnings in 24 of the country’s 27 states amid one of the strongest weather events of the year.

According to Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology (INMET), the cold front brought heavy rain; violent winds reaching up to 110 km/h, and risks of hailstorms and flash floods, particularly in the south, southeast, and Amazon basin regions.

The severe weather caused major disruptions across the country during the busy Mother’s Day holiday period, one of Brazil’s peak travel seasons. Airports in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília reported significant flight delays after airlines reduced operations to avoid expected thunderstorms.

Authorities also warned drivers to avoid major highways, including BR-116 and BR-101, due to dangerous road conditions and flooding risks. Freight transport between the Port of Santos and industrial areas slowed considerably, forcing some exporters to reroute shipments through Viracopos Airport.

Several companies activated emergency response plans and began tracking employees in affected areas as the storm intensified.

Meteorologists expect the weather system to gradually weaken starting Tuesday but warn that flood risks remain high because of saturated soil conditions.

Experts say the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in Brazil highlights the growing impact of climate change on the country’s weather patterns.