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Brazil heatwave triggers red alerts and temperatures above 40°C
Brazil is experiencing a severe heatwave, with Inmet issuing red alerts for extreme danger across several states, including Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, and São Paulo. Temperatures have exceeded 40°C in more than 50 municipalities, with Nova Xavantina in Mato Grosso recording the highest temperature of 2026 at 43.3°C.
The extreme heat has led to a 4% increase in electricity consumption in Mato Grosso do Sul due to higher air conditioning use. In Cuiabá, authorities have issued warnings regarding health risks such as dehydration and respiratory issues, while also prohibiting wildfires to prevent further environmental damage.
In addition to the weather crisis, epidemiological data from Cuiabá shows a significant shift in respiratory illnesses: Covid-19 notifications have dropped by 88.13% compared to the same period in 2025, while influenza A and B cases have surged by 94.89%.
Entities
Brazil · Civil Defense of Cuiabá · Climatempo · Cuiabá · Defesa Civil · Defesa Civil de Cuiabá · INMET · Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia · Mato Grosso · Mato Grosso do Sul · National Institute of Meteorology
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A study by the MCTI shows the number of heatwave days in Brazil has increased eightfold over the last 60 years. www.brasilemfolhas.com.br
- [● 2 SOURCES] Inmet has issued a red alert for extreme heat across several Brazilian states. www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · sitebarra.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] More than 50 Brazilian municipalities recorded temperatures of 40°C or higher. www.metro1.com.br
- [● 2 SOURCES] Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso, recorded the highest temperature in Brazil at 43.3°C. www.metro1.com.br · pnbonline.com.br
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Civil Defense of Cuiabá has prohibited burning to prevent forest fires during the heatwave. oempallador.com.br · omatogrosso.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The red alert for heat covers parts of eight Brazilian states including SP, MG, MS, GO, MT, PR, RJ, and SC. sitebarra.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Electricity consumption in Mato Grosso do Sul rose by 4% due to the intense heat. www.jd1noticias.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A study by MCTI found that the number of heatwave days in Brazil increased eightfold over the last 60 years. www.brasilemfolhas.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The red alert for extreme heat covers parts of eight Brazilian states. sitebarra.com.br
- [● 3 SOURCES] Cuiabá reported an 88.13% decrease in Covid-19 cases and a 94.89% increase in influenza cases compared to 2025.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Civil Defense has prohibited wildfires due to extreme heat and low humidity. oempallador.com.br · omatogrosso.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] More than 50 Brazilian municipalities recorded temperatures at or above 40°C. www.metro1.com.br