Severe São Paulo Storm Triggers Flooding and Lightning Strike on British Airways Plane

Heavy rains caused transport chaos, power outages, and a dramatic lightning strike at Guarulhos International Airport, delaying flights and stranding residents.

A British Airways plane at São Paulo's Guarulhos International Airport was struck by lightning during a severe storm, delaying its departure by six hours after inspections cleared it for takeoff.
The storm brought a month's worth of rainfall in just a few hours, leading to widespread flooding that submerged streets and swept away vehicles across the city.
Over 100,000 homes experienced power outages, and subway stations became overcrowded as residents sought refuge from the deluge.
Videos of the storm's impact, including a man riding a jet ski down a flooded street and passengers climbing onto subway handrails to avoid floodwaters, have gone viral on social media.
Brazil's Civil Defense issued warnings about continued flooding risks and strong winds, urging residents to remain vigilant as the storm disrupted daily life in multiple neighborhoods.