United Arab Emirates Consul Abdallah Shaheen had a tough time on the night of Tuesday, February 5, as a storm hit the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo and left him stuck in his car on a completely flooded street.
The diplomat, the driver and two security guards had to be rescued by firefighters through the sunroof of the BMW they were in, risking complete drowning.
The incident occurred around 20:40 (23:40 in Lisbon) this Tuesday on Rua Formosa, at which time the center of the capital São Paulo was completely overwhelmed by a flow of water, debris and mud that ended upward, preventing the vehicle from continuing to move.
Because the water was rising dangerously and with great force, it was impossible to open the door and face the flow of water, since the car would be caught in the flow before its occupants could escape.
After the call for help, firefighters rushed to the scene in boats, rescued the consul and advisers through the roof of the car and brought them to safety.
In just an hour, the city of Sao Paulo received more than half the expected rainfall for the entire month of March.
Roads in several regions became impassable, cars were completely submerged, and homes, businesses and other properties were inundated by floodwaters.
A 42-year-old man managed to save a drowning woman on a street in eastern Sao Paulo but ended up being dragged into a river and his whereabouts unknown.
Author: Domingos Grilo Serrinha This correspondent in Brazil
Source: CM Jornal
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