heavy rain from early 18 February 2022 increased levels of rivers including the Pirarara causing flooding in the municipality of Cacoal The municipality government added that the opening of floodgates in a hydroelectric plant in the region added to the flooding By 19 February 400 families had evacuated their homes mostly in the Santo Antonio and Liberdade neighbourhoods of Cacoal Officials reported a total of 1,400 families affected Richard Davies is the founder of floodlist.com and reports on flooding news Cookies | Privacy | Contacts © Copyright 2025 FloodList Parece que a página que você está procurando não está disponível The photographer Victor Moriyama follows an Indigenous fire brigade as they try to fill the gap left by the Brazilian state in Rondônia one of the most deforested regions of the Amazon In response to these threats, Indigenous peoples have taken matters into their own hands rallying to oversee and protect their territories Independent self-defence groups are cropping up in Amazonian communities across the region taking on the role of preserving vast areas that should be under the state’s protection In collaboration with a federal agency, the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) the Paiter Suruí community in Rondônia state established the country’s third Indigenous brigade to tackle blazes during the fire season which typically lasts from July to November Rondônia state once had 208,000 sq km of forest (51.4m acres), an area nearly the size of Romania, but over the past three decades has lost an estimated 68,000 sq km of rainforest Scientists predict that this year’s season of forest fires – and arson – will be even more intense due to the El Niño weather cycle the sporadic climate pattern that increases global temperatures every three to seven years the number of hotspots in 2023 has already exceeded that of last year The Paiter Suruí firefighters try to bring a blaze under control using the most basic of equipmentThe brigade has attracted dozens of Paiter Suruí committed to preventing blazes and firefighting within the Sete de Setembro Indigenous territory candidates undergo assessments of their physical fitness and skills during the initial training they take part in an intensive week of practical and theoretical brigade instruction training in how to use equipment and tools and specific techniques for combating forest fires The Paiter Suruí use rubber paddles in an effort to beat out flames and smouldering brushIndigenous communities are increasingly using technology in their efforts to protect their ancestral lands in the Amazon The integration of satellite images on the internet is poised to revolutionise the brigade’s work giving a huge boost to the Paiter Suruí people in their fight against forest fires I am in close contact with the Lakapoy Collective, a group of Indigenous photographers who include Ubiratan Suruí, the young activist Txai Suruí, and Gabriel Uchida representatives of the Paiter Suruí people After securing legal recognition of their Indigenous territory these dynamic people have undergone comprehensive training in using technology to document their cultural narratives Their mission is clear: to strengthen the Paiter Suruí heritage They are now directly involved in reforestation initiatives This collective effort underscores their dedication to fostering sustainable practices Free newsletterGet a different world view with a roundup of the best news “We previously operated an informal Indigenous brigade especially during wildfire seasons,” says Ubiratan Suruí “Their primary responsibilities include combating fires along our territorial boundaries and managing controlled burns in the traditional fields of our Indigenous communities.” Members of the Paiter Suruí brigade check their equipment before heading off to the latest forest fireIn the past few decades the degradation of Brazil’s ecosystems has been steadily worsening The problem escalated during the tenure of two former presidents the conservative Michel Temer and the far-right Jair Bolsonaro has become a net source of carbon to the atmosphere Environmental experts and a few political leaders acknowledge the imperative to create job opportunities and increase income levels in the Amazon region, home to more than 28 million Brazilians. Read moreInvolving local communities in preservation is a crucial strategy to reduce the economic allure of deforestation, cattle ranching and other large-scale agriculture, which often lead to environmental degradation under the banner of economic development and wealth accumulation. The Paiter Suruí and other Indigenous firefighting brigades are just one way in which these communities are taking steps to secure their future. Brazilian country music singer Ana Paula Vieria and her boyfriend, councilman Marcelo Stocco, were killed in a car accident in the northern city of Cacoal.  Vieria, 27, was a passenger in the car driven by Stocco, 32, the crashed head-on with tractor trailer on a highway Sunday.  The couple was returning from Vieria's performance at a nightclub and were on their way to the municipality of Pimenta Bueno when she lost control of the vehicle, the Federal Highway Police said. The truck driver was not injured. The fire department believes that Vieria may have fallen asleep at the wheel. Police recovered bottles of liquor inside the car.  Vieria had shared a photo of her with Stocco and a group of friends at Bar do Bodega in Cacoal.  'We didn't imagine that her last performance would be at our home,' the venue said, as quoted by Brazilian news outlet G1.  The club described her as 'an incredible and super special woman who will always be in our memories. Rest in peace!'  Vieria, who had a degree in pharmacy, formed a duo with fellow country music singer Márcio before they split May 3.  She had recently revealed in a podcast how vaping was negatively affecting her music career. 'There was a time when my voice just disappeared. I used that damn vape,' she said. 'I never want to see that in front of me again.  'It altered my vocal chord, and the doctor said, 'You may never sing again.' I had to follow up with a speech therapist.' Stocco was elected to the Pimenta Bueno city council in 2020 and his term was set to end this year. 'Marcelo Stocco was a councilor of Pimenta Bueno and, during his term, he stood out for leading several initiatives in favor of the population and the municipality, leaving a significant mark on the community of Pimenta Bueno,' the Pimenta Bueno city hall said in a statement. Vieria and Stocco were laid to rest Monday in separate ceremonies.  Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:... Victim of acid attack 'plotted by his ex-partner who teamed up with a gang' dies in hospital six... Pub is forced to pay family £75,000 after wrongly accusing them of 'dine and dash' over £150... We are trapped in unsellable newbuild homes after a £52m dual carriageway was built on our... King, Queen, William and Kate honour selfless devotion of Britain's wartime heroes as they lead... 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