Record-breaking heavy rains swept through the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, causing the Guairi River to overflow, with the equivalent of two months' rainfall falling in just 45 minutes.
Heavy rains flooded large parts of the city, including the metro system and main roads, in a catastrophic scene that prompted the intervention of emergency teams and the declaration of a state of maximum alert.
State media reported that the river flooding caused extensive damage, with more than 60 vehicles affected after floodwaters swept across the Valley-Kochi Expressway. The Kochi and La Vega districts were also flooded, and the river level rose significantly in the Petare district. There were also reports of a house collapsing in the neighboring state of Miranda, and people missing after being swept away by the floodwaters.
This disaster comes at a time when the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology has warned of the arrival of two new tropical waves this week, the first (number 41) arriving between Monday and Tuesday, and the second (number 42) between Thursday and Friday, with expectations of rainfall and thunderstorms of varying intensity in most parts of the country, especially in the regions of Bolívar, Amazonas, Anzoátegui, Monagas, Lara, Ulia and the Andes.
In a swift response, interim President Delcy Rodriguez ordered the activation of emergency mechanisms and the deployment of civil protection teams in several areas of Greater Caracas and Miranda, with continuous monitoring of weather conditions and at-risk areas. She called on citizens to be cautious and remain vigilant, amid fears that the situation could worsen as rain continues in the coming days.
