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Weeks of heavy rainfall over the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia (population 15 million) caused massive floods and damage, leaving at least 18 people dead, nearly 500 000 affected, and 35 000 displaced. Parts of the state, including capital Salvador, have already received 6 times their normal December rainfall.

Heavy rains started affecting the state in early November but the situation worsened in recent days, when two dams collapsed, flooding already heavily affected areas.

The Igua dam on the Verruga river near the city of Vitoria da Conquista, collapsed on December 25, forcing authorities to evacuate residents, mainly in the town of Itambe. All residents of Vitoria da Conquista were forced to evacuate due to collapse.

The second dam collapsed in Jussiape, some 100 km (62 miles) north of Igua, on December 26, bringing more alerts for residents to move to safer ground.1

Further toward the coast in Itabuna (population 200 000), fire brigade teams rescued residents trapped in their homes in the downtown area that was underwater, Reuters reported.

Residents said the level of the Cachoeira river that runs through the town was the highest in 50 years.

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