Over the last few days the city of Rio de Janeiro, and its twin city Niteroi just across the water, have been affected by extremely intense rainfall – a reported 288 mm in 24 hours.  The upshot has been a series of flash floods and landslides that have killed over 100 people so far.  More heavy rain is expected today. O Globo has produced an interactive map of the Rio …

Updated 18:40UT on 4th January 2010 The loss of life in the Brazil landslides is now as follows: 1. Pousada Sankay (Sankai) in Praia do Bananal, Ilha GrandeSo far 29 bodies have been recovered. Three victims are still believed to be buried in the debris, although the authorities cannot rule out the possibility of further victims. 2. The landslide at Morro da Carioca, Angra dos ReisThe number of recovered victims …

Latest update (3rd Jan 22:40 UT) here Updated 22:47 UT with revised fatality countUpdated with an additional photo Globo now has a more detailed report with images of the landslides today in Brazil that I covered in an earlier post. 1. The landslide at pousada Sankay (Sankai) in Praia do Bananal, Ilha GrandeNineteen (Nb updated from 14) bodies have now been found at the site of the lodge and in …

News on these landslides has been updated here The Washington Post is reporting another substantive landslide in Brazil, this time on Ilha Grande, an island off the city of Angra dos Reis, near to Rio de Janeiro. The report says that the slide hit a vacation lodge and three houses, killing at least ten people. The original source of this story appears to be this Globo report, which carries an …

Various international news agencies are reporting that the year is ending with a number of fatal landslides in and around Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. For example, the BBC report says: “Heavy rains have caused floods and landslides in Brazil, leaving at least 11 people dead. Officials said the worst incident had occurred in Jacarepagua, in the western part of Rio de Janeiro state, where a family of five died …

I have come across an impressive and dramatic landslide video, apparently from Brazil and taken in November 2008. The video quality is reasonably good: http://www.liveleak.com/e/704_1228511265 Or you can go directly to the Liveleak web page.

Over the last month Brazil has suffered terribly from heavy rainfall that has induced extensive flooding and landslides. Over130 people have been killed to date. This week, Minas Gerais state has been heavily affected. The Latin American Herald Tribune has today released this image of some of the damage. It shows how small, shallow soil slips are causing extensive damage to houses.

Thanks to Christoph for the heads-up on this one. Following on from the two last week, another amazing landslide video has emerged from Brazil. This can be seen at this site: http://www.spitsnieuws.nl/archives/video/2008/12/aardverschuiving_vs_ambulance.html Click on the video on the web page to play it. The ambulancemen were very fortunate. The rate of movement and the violence of the landslide is quite remarkable.

Unfortunately Santa Catarina Province in Brazil is currently being affected by dreadful landslides and floods associated with a period of exceptionally heavy rainfall. The death toll is rising rapidly. Incredibly, Brazilian news agencies appear to have caught at least two landslides in action. They can both be seen in the following Youtube video: The first occurs right at the start of the clip. Unfortunately the film does not cover all …

I have been pondering the number of large landslide disasters that occurred in the 1960s. This is an initial list that includes the landslide impacts of two of the greatest earthquakes in history and a series of landslides caused by dams and mining.