Floods in Rio de Janiero

Heavy flooding struck Rio de Janeiro state from 5-6 April 2010, killing approximately 30 people. City officials in Rio de Janeiro reported eight fatalities; landslides and flooding killed another 23 people in the neighboring cities of Niteroi and Sao Goncalo. Rio officials report that many of the city’s main thoroughfares have become impassable; they issued orders to close schools and encouraged workers to remain at home. Santos Dumont Regional Airport (SBRJ/SDU) closed for approximately two hours on 5 April due to the inclement weather, causing a number of flight delays.