Extreme precipitation events in Belém-Pará: a historical review of newspaper articles

Abstract

This study examined the socioeconomic impacts of Daily Extreme Precipitation Events (hereafter “DEPEs”) in Belem-Pará during the period 1987-2009. The DEPEs were characterized as “extreme” using the Decile technique. The objective of the study was to identify the consequences and the main neighborhoods affected by these events. The years influenced by occurrences of El Niño or La Niña had the lowest or the highest rates of DEPEs, respectively, and as well as the number of articles published in the city’s newspapers. The monthly variation showed that the DEPEs and resulting newspaper articles were higher in the "wettest" (summer / austral autumn) period. The newspaper articles indicated that street flooding is the main consequence of DEPEs in the city of Belém-Pará, and that the most affected districts are Cremação, Jurunas and Batista Campos. These neighborhoods are near to one another and are all located in the Travessa Quintino Bocaiúva watershed, which has a low slope that delays the flow of water, favoring flooding. The city’s lack of infrastructure is the main reason for the severe consequences of DEPEs.