Roraima, Brazil declares emergency as floods isolate nine towns

Heavy rains that began at the end of May have placed nine of Roraima's fifteen municipalities in a state of emergency. The affected municipalities are Rorainópolis, Alto Alegre, Caracaraí, Mucajaí, Normandia, Uiramutã, Amajari, Bonfim and São Luiz do Anauá. More than 45 communities have been cut off, with 66 critical points such as flooded roads, destroyed bridges and broken culverts recorded across the state. At least 50,000 people are reported to be affected.

Rainfall accumulated up to 50 mm per day in some areas, raising the level of the Branco River to 8 metres, enough to cause flooding. In Bonfim three bridges were swept away, leaving over 7,000 residents without land access and requiring food deliveries by boat. The state government deployed a helicopter to evacuate three children from isolated communities – one bitten by a snake and two suffering respiratory illness and a broken arm. Six municipalities reported a total of 11 blockages due to submerged routes or infrastructure damage. Authorities have urged residents to avoid risky areas and compromised structures.