https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60473918

Petrópolis: A perfect storm of weather extremes and deep inequality

by Katy Watson

Gettysburg Images. (2022). [More than 100 people have died in landslides in the Brazilian city of Petrópolis]. BBC Brazil. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60473918

This article informs readers of the rainstorm that struck Petrópolis in mid-February that generated 26 landslides, caused more than 100 missing persons, and killed 176 people. Although Brazil is used to tropical downpours during its rainy seasons, this rainfall was one of its worst in a long time. The rain that fell was the accumulation of what would be considered a month’s worth of rain in 2 hours.

Varoli, Renato. (2022). [Carine says that despite the danger, she cannot afford to live anywhere else]. BBC Brazil. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60473918

The article focuses on a 41-year-old individual named Carine Santiago affected by the rainfall who experienced the same weather pattern 26 years ago. She lived through the tragedy of her mother’s passing after she was killed in a mudslide. However, Carine continues to live in the same place that has experienced such devastation due to the fact that she simply cannot afford to move elsewhere.

On one hand, the evidence provided by the article shows the BBC reporter recounting a statement made by Rio’s government about housing shortages, and they responded by stating that there has been a shortage since 2011 when more than 900 people died in landslides and that their families were promised housing afterward. On the other hand, the evidence used in the article cites the state government in quotes and highlights the work being done to recover from the loss of homes and persons due to the tragic event, such as the addition of constructing 50,000 new units across the state, but it comes off as more of an excuse as to why the housing is still insufficient for most families living in the Rio area. Another source is Professor Guerra, who likens the efforts as simply “petty politics,” where the politicians promise work to be done only to get re-elected without any of the work actually being carried out to fruition. Guerra is a credible expert as he is experienced in the building of houses and the safety relative to individuals who are at risk of experiencing potential landslides. Lastly, another professor by the name of Raquel Rolnik at the University of São Paulo says something particularly striking: “In these circumstances, there are two options, either public policy to help redistribute income or public policies to provide decent housing.”