In the midst of carnival preparations, Rio de Janeiro sweltered under temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius this Monday, prompting authorities to gear up for what’s expected to be the “hottest summer in recent years” in the Brazilian city. The metropolis, home to over 6 million inhabitants, reached the fourth of five heat alert levels established by municipal authorities, triggering a series of measures to mitigate the heat’s impact on residents.
This heat alert system, implemented last June, takes into account both temperature and air moisture. Level 4 is characterized by temperatures ranging from 40 to 44 degrees Celsius, sustained over at least three consecutive days. In response, authorities must provide the population with access to cool or shaded areas, water distribution points, and recommend suspending physical activity in schools, among other measures.
The Alerta Rio Meteorological System, managed by the City Council, reported a record-breaking maximum temperature of 44 degrees in the Guaratiba neighborhood, located in the city’s west. This surpasses the previous record of 43.8 degrees Celsius, also recorded in Guaratiba on November 18, 2023. Notably, the earlier record was set the day after a fan died from thermal exhaustion during a Taylor Swift concert in Rio.
According to Daniel Soranz, Secretary of Health of Rio, “the hottest summer of recent years is expected.” Over the weekend, the city’s beaches were packed with people seeking to cool off, while a prominent Samba Carioca school canceled a carnival rehearsal in Copacabana due to the extreme heat.
In the city center, street vendors like Jose Ricardo Rodrigues found ways to cope with the heat. Rodrigues positioned himself in front of an office building to benefit from the air conditioning and made sure to drink plenty of water. “It’s very hot, I just can’t stand it anymore,” he shared.
Carnival Preparations Continue
Despite the heat, Eduardo Paes, the mayor of Rio, announced on Sunday that no carnival events would be canceled. However, he encouraged participants to take precautions, saying, “it is obvious that we can get the attention of the participants to say: ‘Drink more water, take care…'” The carnival, scheduled for the end of the month, attracts over a million tourists and plays a significant role in the city’s economy.
In the weeks leading up to the Carnival, Rio is filled with “Rúa Bloccos,” street carnival comparsas that parade with music and dances. However, the heat poses a significant challenge, particularly in the favelas, which are densely populated neighborhoods with limited vegetation, located on hills. Residents of these areas are especially vulnerable to heat waves.
In La Favela Bateau Mouche, in western Rio, residents resorted to using hoses to cool down. An old man was seen fainting due to the high temperatures. According to Soranz, January saw over 3,000 people treated in emergency municipal services for heat-related issues, such as sun exposure or dehydration. This number is nearly double that of previous years, when it averaged around 1,600 to 1,700 cases.
Brazil has been severely affected by extreme climate events in recent years, including floods, droughts, and fires, which many experts attribute to global warming. The current heat wave is not limited to Rio de Janeiro, with other regions like Sao Paulo also being affected.