Record-breaking floods in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, have caused environmental devastation, the displacement of over 600,000 residents, and the death of 183 people. The government declared it the state’s largest climate disaster ever, with 2.39 million residents affected and major human, non-human, and economic losses. According to a team of international scientists, climate change, intensified by El Niño, made the flooding twice as likely. Experts warn that such extremely rare weather events, once expected to occur every 100 to 250 years, will become more frequent due to the burning of fossil fuels and other forms of environmental degradation. The floods have devastated local economies and communities. While some residents are leaving to start anew, others are choosing to stay and rebuild their lives.
Are you a photographer and/or passionate about press freedom? Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on our annual contest and to hear about exhibitions near you.
2025 Photo Contest - South America - Stories
Brazil’s Worst-Ever Floods
Photographer
Amanda Maciel Perobelli
Reuters
Shutter Speed
1/4000
Focal length
35mm
F-Stop
f/4
ISO
100
Camera
EOS R1
Jury comment
The jury recognized this project for its powerful documentation of the largest climate disaster in Brazilian history. The work captures both the vast scale of destruction and the personal impact on those affected. Its strong sequencing moves from wide overviews to intimate moments, conveying the shock and devastation experienced by communities. The photographer’s approach offers a compelling perspective on the human toll of climate catastrophe, making this an important and timely body of work.