Nova Iguaçu restores public services after strong windstorm

A strong windstorm hit Nova Iguaçu, Brazil, on Wednesday, 29, toppling trees, damaging roofs, walls, poles and other infrastructure. The municipal government mobilised a task‑force that has removed more than 180 fallen trees and branches and carried out emergency repairs across neighbourhoods. Health services are largely back in operation, with the General Hospital, the Iguassú Maternity Hospital and five UPAs serving the public, while primary‑care vaccination remains suspended at 15 units. In education, 89 of the municipality’s 152 schools have resumed classes in the morning and afternoon; eight schools are open only to provide meals, and 55 remain closed pending inspections, repairs and the restoration of electricity. Mayor Dudu Reina said, “Nossas equipes seguem trabalhando de forma ininterrupta para restabelecer os serviços públicos e devolver a normalidade à cidade o mais rápido possível. Ao mesmo tempo, seguimos cobrando da Light agilidade na retomada do fornecimento de energia elétrica, que ainda impacta o funcionamento de alguns equipamentos públicos e a rotina da população.” The mayor expects most services to be fully normalised by Monday, 3 May, and has pledged that teams will stay on the streets until that goal is reached.