On Saturday, more than 1.6 million residents of Sao Paulo found themselves without power for over 16 hours following a powerful storm that swept through the city. The storm, which brought record wind gusts of up to 67 mph (108 kph), caused significant damage by knocking down transmission lines and uprooting trees.
The severe weather conditions not only led to power outages but also resulted in the closure of several airports and interruptions in water service across various areas in Sao Paulo state. Despite initial expectations of a quick restoration of power, numerous neighborhoods in the metropolitan area, housing a population of 21 million, remained in darkness on Saturday. Authorities advised residents to conserve water due to the ongoing challenges.
Tragically, one individual lost their life when a tree fell on an outdoor stall during the storm. Additionally, at least four other fatalities were reported in surrounding areas of Sao Paulo state, underscoring the destructive impact of the extreme weather event.
