Satellite images show destruction on SP’s north coast after rains

Heavy rains hit some municipalities on São Paulo’s north coast during Carnival, causing a major tragedy with 65 deaths recorded so far, according to the Civil Defense balance sheet.

Security and rescue forces continue to search for missing victims, according to an official bulletin issued by the Government of the State of São Paulo this Monday (27).

Geographer and scientist Jéssica Uchôa created an application on Google Earth Engine using images from Sentinel 2 to visualize the effects of flooding and landslides in coastal areas on the north coast of São Paulo and compare them with previous images. The researcher shared the study in a post on Twitter.

I updated my app with a new one # Watcher2 image (25 February). amount #landslide in Sao Paulo (#Brazil ????) influential! ????

?? Access the app: https://t.co/x8yiuCThlF https://t.co/vx7xLmgNvz pic.twitter.com/GEutNcTJmS

— Jessica Uchoa ?????? (@JessicaUchoa_) February 26, 2023

In the images taken after the rains, it is possible to see the damage caused by the water on the slopes that left many points without vegetation after the landslides.

During the Carnival weekend, São Sebastião recorded more than 600mm of rain, causing flooding and landslides from the hills that blocked roads and highways and destroyed homes. In a 24-hour period, Bertioga recorded 683 mm of precipitation, the highest volume ever recorded in the country.

The Department of Highways (DER) has already released traffic on São Sebastião’s highways for light and heavy vehicles. The KM 82 section of the Mogi Bertioga highway (SP-098) is the only road that is completely prohibited.