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Heavy Rains in Rio Cause Flooding in Front of Maracanã Stadium and Leave Motorists Stranded
12/12/2013 - 08h35
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FROM RIO
Flooded homes, more than 300 public schools without classes, motorists stranded on the hoods of their cars, passengers huddled in closed train and subway stations.
This Wednesday began with distress for residents of Rio and Baixada Fluminense (Lower Fluminense), where heavy rains have caused flooding since early morning.
While Mayor Eduardo Paes (PMDB) asked on TV that people stay home, still thousands ventured out to try to get to work.
Scenes of desperation were repeated at roads leading to downtown Rio, like the Radial Oeste, which was flooded near the Maracanã stadium, the venue for the 2014 World Cup final.
On Brasil, motorists went back in the opposite direction fearing muggers and looting, as had occurred in the Presidente Dutra Highway and avenida Brasil.
According to the Federal Highway Police ten armed men on the Dutra Highway were robbing and attacked at least six cars. They took purses, backpacks, cell phones, money and belongings from victims, fleeing on foot. At least two trucks were looted.
ASSAULTS IN SÃO PAULO
The Highway Police of São Paulo are promising to improve effectiveness on the roads of the south coast after the murder of two tourists last weekend.
"We have reduced the gaps in order to intensify the policing", stated the deputy commander of the 1st Military Police Highway Battalion, Julian Magno. This situation should last until the 26th, when effective highway police acting in "Operation Summer" will arrive at the southern coast of SP.
Last Saturday, Canadian businessman William Dean Tiessen was murdered by robbers in Anchieta, in the heights of Cubatao, while returning from Guarujá.
On Sunday, machine operator Edi Nelson Barros, 27, was killed by three men on Padre Manoel da Nóbrega Highway during an attempted robbery.
Police have yet to find those responsible for the two crimes.
Translated by STEVE HUGHES