Flood Map

Rio de Janeiro is a city prone to flooding. Each year, thousands of people die from landslides caused by torrential rains. The city was not designed to handle its population of almost twelve million people. Poor planning and the precarious structures of favelas built on the steep hillsides and on landfills means homes are easily lost during floods. In addition, the city has a critical trash problem that compounds flooding when garbage and debris block drains and open sewers. The favela flood map was compiled by residents in the Rocinha favela in 2010-2011, when several hundred lives were lost in favela collapses during floods. Video of high-risk flash flood sites were taken by residents using their cell phones, edited at the Rocinha Media School, and disseminated throughout the favela as PSAs to warn of risks and impart information on ways to mitigate the potential for housing collapses.