Brazil: Residents of Guarani Blockade a Road Demanding Solutions for Flood Damage

Featured image: Burning road barricade in Guarani, Cabo Frio, Brazil. Source: AND

On October 17, residents of Guarani, in Cabo Frio, Brazil, blockaded a road in Avenida América Central protesting against lacking infrastructure and support after heavy flooding caused by overnight rain. 20 families are facing damages after water ran through their homes, residents report in interviews with A Nova Democracia (AND).

This blockade answers the widespread damage, including an increased difficulty for residents to leave their homes. After repeated requests for a solution from the City Hall, seven residents took the initiative to blockade the road, setting fire to tires and debris. Among the demands is the solution to the drainage problem, which has persisted for decades.

A technical assessment released by the city identified two faults in the network: a Prolagos manhole had sunk, and the pipe through which the Guarani River water should flow had collapsed and broken. With the drainage impaired, the water backs up and accumulates in the streets; repairs require access to structures located approximately seven meters deep.

As is often seen in questions like this in Brazil, the responsibility for the damages is shifted back and forth between the City Hall, the Department of Public Works and the water and sewage company Prolagos, all while the people persist in facing the issue at hand.

You can read our report on the Areia Branco Occupation, where the residents have to face similar “hot potato” blame games by the various responsible institutions, while they remain without power.