According to the Planalto Palace, the president will conduct an aerial tour of the impacted areas and subsequently meet with the mayors of the hardest-hit cities: Juiz de Fora, Uba, and Matias Barbosa.

The three cities have been declared in a state of public calamity, while the municipalities of Divinesia and Senador Firmino are in a state of emergency.

To date, the federal government has approved 11.3 million reais (US$2.2 million) for humanitarian assistance and the restoration of essential services in the most affected cities, through eight work plans.

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Meteorology maintains “high danger” warnings for heavy rainfall in the region this Saturday, reported Agencia Brasil. Rainfall is expected to exceed 100 millimeters in 24 hours, with a risk of further flooding, flash floods, and landslides.

The alerts also extend to the states of Rio de Janeiro, Espirito Santo, and Bahia.

The day before, at the closing of the VI National Conference of Cities, Lula announced his visit to Juiz de Fora and Uba to support the affected families and speak with local authorities.

In that forum, the president linked the recurrence of tragedies associated with the rains to the historical neglect of the poorest populations and the lack of adequate urban planning.

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