I was wondering why Vale's iron ore exports to China had been dropping week after week, in early 2024. Then I checked out the weather reports for Minas Gerais, home of Vale's headquarters in Belo Horizonte and the Vale's nearby Iron Quadrangle (see map below)

Minas Gerais is the birthplace of Vale and accounts for more than half of their iron ore production with 20 mines in operation. There is a railroad connecting Port Tubaroa in Espirito Santo and Minas Gerais it, with 905 km of extension and over 60,000 hectares of preserved areas in the Iron Quadrangle.

Since Jan 14, the rainfall has been extreme in Minas Gerais- with floods and other damage, culminating in a very rare tropical cyclone, Akara, off the coast in mid Feb (which thankfully pretty much stayed hugging the coast before moving out to sea). No wonder export numbers are down, and still decreasing.

The rainy season in Brazil lasts until the end of April.


14 JAN 2024 | 05:47 AM UTC

Brazil: Severe weather forecast
in southeastern states through
at least Jan. 14

Southeastern Brazil forecast to experience severe weather through at least Jan. 14. Disruptions possible.

Warning

Transportation

Communications/Technology

Environment

Health

BRA

• Event
• Advice
• Resources
• Map

Heavy rainfall and floods are affecting parts of southeastern Brazil as of Jan. 13. The adverse weather conditions will likely continue at least through Jan. 14.

The National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) has issued the following alerts:

• Red warnings for heavy rainfall (the highest level on a three-tier scale): For parts of Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro states through at least Jan. 14.

• Orange warnings: For the rest of Espirito Santo, Minas Gerais, and Rio de Janeiro states, as well as for parts of Amapa, Amazonas, Maranhao, Tocantins, and Para states.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger further flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding, landslides, or strong winds impact utility networks.

Floodwaters and debris flows could render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are possible in areas with heavy rainfall and potential track inundation. Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying and riverine areas.

Flooding could heighten the threat of disease outbreaks. Backflow from drains mixed with floodwaters can become trapped in open areas when inundations recede. These stagnant pools often become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria, increasing the incidence of insect- and water-borne diseases. Exposure to contaminated water from inundated industrial sites, sewer systems, and septic tanks also poses a significant health threat.

Civil Defense maintains alert for
heavy rains in Minas Gerais

Rains are expected to become more intense in the capital in the afternoon

Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin

Published on 01/24/2024 - 11:49 By Fabíola Siminbú - Reporter at Agência Brasil - Brasília

to hear:

The heavy rains that hit Belo Horizonte on Tuesday afternoon (23), causing flash floods, falling trees and flooding, are expected to continue in the coming days, warns the Civil Defense of the State of Minas Gerais.According to a statement released on social media, large amounts of rain are forecast in all regions of the state until next Sunday (28).

According to the Minas Gerais Meteorology and Water Resources System, for this Wednesday (24), there is a possibility of severe storms both in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, in the northwest, north and center of the state, and in the Rio Doce Valleys, of Mucuri and Jequitinhonha.

In the capital, the rains are expected to become more intense in the afternoon and with accumulations of up to 120 millimeters, which may be accompanied by lightning, hail, gusts of wind and thunderstorms.

The population is advised to remain alert and follow the recommendations, prioritizing safety when adopting preventive measures.“Do not underestimate the strength of the water, do not cross floods, change your route to avoid places with a history of flooding.In the event of a lightning storm, seek shelter in buildings or vehicles”, warns Sergeant Emerson Ribeiro, from the Minas Gerais Military Police.

According to the state Fire Department, during Tuesday's storm, 162 calls were answered about falling trees and collapses and 40 requests for help from people stranded in flooded areas.BR-040 was closed, close to Km 564, at around 8pm after a waterspout caused flooding in the region and a person had to be rescued from inside the car.There were no deaths recorded as a result of the rains.

A Rare Tropical Storm in the South Atlantic

February 19, 2024JPEG

Tropical storms seldom roam in the South Atlantic Ocean. But in mid-February 2024, one such storm formed off the coast of Brazil.

Brazil: Adverse weather
forecast across southeastern
regions through at least Feb. 20

Severe weather forecast over southeastern Brazil through at least Feb. 20. Flooding, landslides, and transport disruptions possible.

Warning

Transportation

Environment

BRA

CPV

• Event
• Advice
• Resources
• Map

Severe weather is forecast across parts of southeastern Brazil through at least Feb. 20. A subtropical cyclone is expected to form off the coast of Rio de Janeiro State and will bring heavy rainfall and strong winds across the region over the coming days. The heaviest rainfall is expected in coastal areas around the border between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo states. Winds gusting up to 83 kph (52 mph) are possible in the region. Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and landslides on unstable slopes. Transport disruptions and power outages are also possible in affected areas.

As of early Feb. 15, Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) has issued red (the highest level on a three-tier scale) heavy rainfall warnings for coastal areas of western Rio de Janeiro and eastern Sao Paulo states. Orange heavy rainfall warnings are in place across much of the rest of Rio de Janeiro, much of Parana, and parts of southern Mato Grosso do Sul, southern Minas Gerais, and central, eastern, and southern Sao Paulo states. Yellow warnings have been issued across the rest of the affected area. Officials could update and possibly extend the coverage of the relevant weather alerts over the coming days.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. In developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems, additional urban flooding is also possible. Sites downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides remain possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rainfall has saturated the soil. Power outages and disruptions to telecommunications services are likely where significant flooding, landslides, or strong winds impact utility networks.

Floodwaters and debris flows could render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters.

Severe weather could also trigger intermittent flight delays and cancellations at airports in the affected regions, though these are unlikely to be severe or prolonged. Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are possible in areas with heavy rainfall and track inundation. Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas.




Vale's Iron Quadrangal in Minas Gerais



Rail to Port Tubarao