A heat wave that hits Brazil left new records this Sunday,
registering 62.3 ºC of thermal sensation in Rio de Janeiro
, the highest in a decade, while São Paulo is experiencing the hottest March in its history.
In the west of Rio, the thermal sensation reached 62.3 degrees Celsius at 9 in the morning, the Rio Alert System reported on the X social network, which said it was the highest mark since it began making these measurements in 2014. .
On Saturday, in the west of Rio the thermal sensation reached 60.1 degrees Celsius.
The previous record in that area was last November, when the indicator reached 59.7 ºC.
The emblematic Ipanema and Copacabana looked packed
, while the authorities published advice to cope with the high temperatures.
The Cariocas also came to take refuge in the Tijuca Park, an important nature reserve in the heart of the city.
In San Pablo, residents filled parks and squares.
“Before we didn't have heat like this, now it has changed a lot, from a while ago,” Vanuza Maria Estevan, a 40-year-old resident, told AFP.
Many of the state's inhabitants chose to head to the coastal resorts, which caused major traffic jams at the entrances to San Pablo on Saturday,
with lines of cars of up to 20 kilometers,
according to local media reports.
According to the Rio Alert System, this Sunday a thermal sensation of 62.3ºC was recorded, Photo EFE
Meanwhile, extreme rains were wreaking havoc in the south of the country and will continue next week, according to authorities.
“The week will be very high risk in the Central-South of Brazil due to intense rains and storms.
The most worrying system is a very intense cold front that will arrive with torrential rains and possible gales,” the meteorological information agency MetSul warned on Sunday.
“Exceptionally high volumes” of rainfall, up to 300 millimeters,
were recorded in some locations in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul .
The mayor's office of the municipality of Uruguaiana, the worst affected in the state, released images of flooded streets and buses half submerged in water.
It is estimated that up to 500 mm of rain could fall, according to Metsul.
In February, Rio Grande do Sul had been smothered in extreme temperatures due to an “extreme heat dome” coming from Argentina.
Experts attribute extreme phenomena and meteorological instability
to climate change and a worsening of the El Niño phenomenon.
Scientists estimate that current global temperatures are about 1.2ºC higher overall than in the mid-19th century, causing an increase in floods, droughts and heat waves.
Hundreds of people flock to Ipanema beach this Sunday in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
Photo EFE
Brazil registered a new record for instant energy demand, with 102,478 megawatts (MW), in the midst of the intense heat wave that affects a good part of the country, reported the National Electrical System Operator.
The South American country, which has some 203 million inhabitants and a continental dimension, reached peak demand last Friday, at 2:37 p.m. local time, the Brazilian agency said.
92.5% of the 102,478 megawatts came from renewable sources.
Source: AFP and EFE
P.B.