Occurrence of Multi-Disasters in the Mampituba River Basin, Southern Brazil, During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Multi-disasters took place in the Mampituba River basin, southern Brazil, as a consequence of the passing of two cyclones, in July 2020. The first one was a bomb cyclone that caused several storm winds, damaging the rooftops and overthrow countless trees. The second was an extratropical cyclone that brought extreme precipitation, and triggered storm winds, debris flow, debris flood, woody debris flow, and floods. In the study area, there are two National Parks (Aparados da Serra and Serra Geral). The multi-disasters destroyed a river gauge station used as a part of an early warning system by the National Parks and destroyed partially a marked trail. The most affected municipalities were Praia Grande and Mampituba, where the damages were more related to the storm winds, floods, and debris flood. Furthermore, during the passing of the cyclones, many people were affected, and some of them should be moved to public shelter. Such multi-disasters occurred during the pandemic of COVID-19 in Brazil, which might increase the synergy of the simultaneous occurrence of such extreme events.