Rio de Janeiro declares ten South Zone beaches unsafe for swimming this weekend
The State Environmental Institute (Inea) released its weekly beach‑water quality bulletin, marking ten South Zone beaches in Rio de Janeiro as unsuitable for bathing. The prohibited beaches are Vidigal, Leblon, Ipanema, Arpoador, Diabo, Copacabana, Urca, Botafogo, Flamengo and Glória. All other city beaches remain open for swimmers.
Inea advises the public to avoid entering the sea for 24 hours after any rain event, when runoff can increase contamination. Bathers should also stay clear of storm‑water galleries, drainage channels and river mouths, which are prone to poorer water quality. In nearby Niterói, safe bathing areas include Gragoatá, Charitas, Icaraí, Eva, Piratininga, Sossego, Camboinhas, Itaipu and Itacoatiara, while Boa Viagem, Flechas, São Francisco, Jurujuba and Adão are discouraged.
The forecast predicts stable, sunny weather with temperatures up to 31 °C, encouraging beachgoers to check the bulletin before heading out.