On January 24, 2025, a powerful storm struck São Paulo, Brazil, leading to widespread flooding. It was the most intense storm in the region in 37 years. In just one day, some areas saw 3.7 inches of rainfall.
According to the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet), wind speeds reached 37 mph, an extremely high figure for the region, where average wind speeds typically do not exceed 7.5 mph this time of year.
The storm left around 180,000 people without power just hours after the rain began. Remarkably, it occurred during the same week when the hottest day of the year was recorded: on January 21, temperatures hit 94.1°F in the city.
Heavy rainfall caused widespread street flooding, with reports of 37 locations severely affected. The storm paralyzed road traffic and public transportation, while also causing tree falls and building damage.
At several metro stations, passengers had to hold onto railings to avoid being swept away by the rushing water. Among the significant damages was the collapse of the roof of the Norte shopping center. At Guarulhos Airport, lightning struck an airplane's fuselage.
Experts around the world note that modern cities are unprepared for such extreme events. The intensity of storms is rapidly increasing, leading to massive property losses and human casualties.
Scientists have issued a grim forecast for 2025: the intensity of catastrophes is expected to increase by 12-15% compared to last year, which was already a record year for many extreme weather events. The lack of effective human intervention will exacerbate these destructive processes. More details are available in the video: "Egon Cholakian: A Brief Analysis of the Climate Situation."