Brazil recorded more than 1,000 natural disasters in 2023, that is, more than three per day, something that happens for the first time in history and is directly linked to climate change, according to experts.

The National Center for Monitoring Natural Disasters (Cemaden) recorded 1,161 such phenomena, especially floods and landslides, last year. It is the highest number reported since records began in 2011. According to this public service, 132 people were killed and more than 9,000 were injured and at least 74,000 were left homeless by phenomena associated with extreme rainfall.

It is estimated that the amount of material damages reaches 5 billion reais (approximately 925 million euros).

“Climate change has had a direct impact on increasing the frequency and extent of disasters,” explained Francisco Eliseo Aquino, a climatologist at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. This situation is linked, as he said, to the El Nino weather phenomenon. “We experienced a year with record (high) temperatures, with heat waves, with drought problems and rains that cause floods,” he added.

Aquino recalled that more than 50 people lost their lives in the devastating floods caused by a typhoon in September. Another 60 were killed by landslides in Sao Paulo State in February. On the contrary, in other regions, such as in the Amazon, a drought of historic proportions was recorded.

Earlier this year at least 12 people were killed by floods in Rio de Janeiro.

2023 was the hottest year in the history of the planet, according to the European Copernicus Observatory.