Rainfall recorded in October 2026 has caused a significant rise in the water levels of the Sapucaí and Verde rivers in Southern Minas Gerais compared to the same period in 2025. Data from monitoring stations indicate an increase in both accumulated rain volume and river height, reinforcing the necessity of continuous tracking to prevent droughts and potential overflows.
The monitoring is conducted by a private company using stations installed at various points along both rivers. These measurements serve to track drought conditions, assist in water resource management, and provide critical information to municipalities and civil defense agencies during flood events.
In the Verde River, monitored at a station in São Lourenço, the water level reached 1.72 meters in October 2026, with an accumulated rainfall of 233 millimeters. In contrast, during October 2025, the river registered only 20 centimeters in height and 90 millimeters of precipitation.
Similarly, the Sapucaí River, monitored by a station in Itajubá, recorded a level of 1.48 meters this October with nearly 230 millimeters of accumulated rain. During the same period last year, the river stood at 27 centimeters with only 70 millimeters of rainfall.
Vitória Jacomelli Baratella, director of the company responsible for the monitoring, stated that public access to this information is fundamental for fostering a culture of river level awareness and supporting the preventive work of civil defense teams. She emphasized that the system allows people to understand alert levels and prepare accordingly.
Baratella also highlighted the need to monitor data closely given the predicted climate variations for the coming months, specifically citing the impact of a super El Niño phenomenon. She explained that while this event may bring high temperatures and periods of drought to Southern Minas Gerais, it will also cause very strong and concentrated rains, making historical comparisons of rainfall amounts crucial.
The real-time monitoring allows authorities to track alert levels and base municipal decisions on accurate data. Baratella noted that understanding these levels helps communities pay attention to alerts issued by civil defense and local governments.
On the ground, a lodge owner located on the banks of the Sapucaí River in Paraguaçu reported that the river is currently about 1.5 meters higher than it was last year. He noted that in 2025, stones were visible in the riverbed, and it was possible to cross to a nearby island.
The increase in water volume has also impacted local tourism. According to the lodge owner, the establishment is currently operating at approximately 70% occupancy, receiving tourists even during this rainy period.
Sources: G1.