World · World News Bureau
Severe flooding traps dozens of vehicles in Sao Paulo tunnel
Heavy downpours inundated a major transport artery in Brazil's largest city, leaving motorists stranded as floodwaters prevented passage through the Anhangabau tunnel. Emergency services worked to clear the congestion and assist affected commuters.
LSN World News ·
A sudden deluge of rain overwhelmed drainage systems in central Sao Paulo on Tuesday, transforming the Anhangabau tunnel into a temporary waterway and leaving numerous vehicles immobilized within the underground passage. The flooding occurred during peak traffic hours, trapping occupants inside the tunnel as water levels rose rapidly.
Local authorities responded with emergency personnel deployed to assist stranded motorists. The backup extended both within and beyond the tunnel as traffic ground to a halt, with some vehicles piled against one another as drivers attempted to navigate the deteriorating conditions.
The incident underscores ongoing infrastructure challenges in Sao Paulo, where aging drainage systems frequently prove inadequate during heavy rainfall events. City officials have long grappled with seasonal flooding that periodically disrupts transport networks throughout the metropolitan area.
No immediate reports of fatalities were issued, though some motorists required assistance exiting their vehicles. Authorities reopened the tunnel after water levels receded, though delays persisted as affected vehicles were removed and the roadway was cleared.