sao paulo, brazil
AP
—
More than 1.4 million Sao Paulo residents were without power on Thursday after strong winds toppled several trees onto the Brazilian metropolis’ power grid the day before. Local authorities said no one was injured, but about 400 flights were cancelled.
Utility Enel has not set a deadline for service resumption. Marcelo Puertas, one of the company’s directors, told reporters that the Italian company had 1,300 people working to resolve the issue since winds of around 100 kilometers per hour began blowing in Sao Paulo.
São Paulo City Hall announced that 231 trees fell due to the extratropical cyclone that struck southern Brazil. Aviation authorities said most of the canceled flights occurred at the local Congonhas airport, but added that Guarulhos International Airport on the outskirts of the city was also affected.
Mayor Ricardo Nunez, whose city government is in charge of cutting down trees that were wedged into the power grid, told reporters Wednesday night that he had told the company it was not doing its best to resolve the problem.
“Every time something happens, we are left without electricity,” Nunes said, criticizing Italy’s power companies as “irresponsible.” The situation on the power grid worsened on Wednesday, leaving more than 2 million Sao Paulo residents without power.
On Thursday, several cars with the Enel logo were photographed in the company’s parking lot in downtown Sao Paulo, further incensing residents and authorities.
Water utility Sabesp said in a statement on Thursday that power shortages are already impacting services as pumps are not working properly.
