Australia and Brazil have both been besieged by heavy rains and flooding in recent weeks.  While Australia’s damage was more widespread, the death toll in Brazil has been far more severe.

At latest count at least 809 people have been killed in the flooding in areas just north of Rio de Janeiro.  389 are reported dead from the floods and mudslides in Nova Friburgo and 324 in Teresolis.  With at least 200 people missing the toll may eventually exceed 1,000.

More than 20,000 people have been forced out of their homes as flash floods and mud rushed through the Serrana region and the Brazilian government is being heavily criticized for its lax oversight of construction standards. The lack of a proper weather warning system and civil defense plan have also been highlighted by the calamity. 

Many within the country and in the international community are questioning the ability of Brazil to play host to the World Cup and the Olympics later this decade. Brazilian daily newspaper Estado de S. Paulo wrote, “A look at public policy … or the lack thereof … reveals a long chain of unpreparedness, administrative incompetence, technical incapacity, and political irresponsibility.”

The recent deaths far surpass Brazil’s previous worst natural disaster. That event, a flood in the state of Sao Paulo in 1967, claimed 436 lives. 

For complete coverage of all types of natural disasters, please visit the Natural Disasters Examiner.