Interactive map with the 5 districts of the municipality and markers for the three major climate tragedies (2011 Vale do Cuiabá in Itaipava, 2022 Morro da Oficina in the 1st district, 2024 Quitandinha). Detailed geological risk data is available on the Brazilian Geological Service portal.
Use the map to locate the 5 districts of Petrópolis and the three sites of the most lethal climate tragedies in the municipality in the 21st century. Click the markers to open the details.
Tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors · library: Leaflet 1.9.4
For detailed sector-by-sector geological risk mapping, consult the SGB-CPRM portal.
Between January 2011 and March 2024, three episodes concentrated most of the climate-related deaths recorded in Petrópolis. The three share rainfall concentrated in a few hours over steep slopes with irregular occupation.
71 dead in Petrópolis · 916+ across the mountain region
Extreme rainfall over the mountain region triggered flash floods and landslides in Petrópolis, Teresópolis, and Nova Friburgo. In Itaipava, Vale do Cuiabá was one of the local epicenters, with total loss of dwellings along the watercourse. The episode entered the list of the ten greatest natural disasters ever recorded in Brazil.
258 mm in 3 hours · 233+ identified victims
The 1st district received in three hours the equivalent of what was expected for the entire month of February. Saturated slopes gave way over densely occupied communities in the Historic Center. Morro da Oficina concentrated most of the deaths, followed by Caxambu and Chácara Flora.
390 mm in 24 hours · 7+ dead
Record 24-hour volume for the downtown weather station. Quitandinha, Cremerie, Chácara Flora, and Mosela recorded landslides and flooding. The sequence of rains continued in the following days, keeping Civil Defense on red alert.
The markers are approximate. Precision is at the neighborhood level, not the lot. The plotted points represent the approximate centroid of the area affected by each event, not the exact location of each death or of the largest landslide scar.
This map does not replace an official cartographic consultation. For any project, subdivision, licensing, or insurance decision, consult the geotechnical charts from SGB-CPRM, the Municipal Risk Reduction Plan from the Petrópolis Civil Defense, and the INEA registry.
Mapped risk areas are external layers. The sector-by-sector geological risk polygon is available on the SGB portal (link above). The purpose of this page is to provide basic territorial context about Petrópolis, not to replace the official risk map.
SERRA · 7minWhat makes Petrópolis Petrópolis, from climate to layout.
ITAIPAVA · 8minIrregular occupation doubled between 1985 and 2020.
PLAN · 6minWhy the Petrópolis instrument needs to be rewritten.
Risk mapping and territorial planning in Petrópolis rest on two central statutes: the federal Civil Defense law and the municipal Master Plan.