São Paulo Ordered to Submit Time-Bound Anti-Flood Plans Under Court Oversight

Overview

• A São Paulo state court directed the municipal government to deliver short-, medium-, and long‑term flood-control plans in 60, 120, and 180 days, with each stage detailing works, costs, timelines, funding sources, and public participation.
• Noncompliance triggers a daily fine of R$10,000 capped at R$1.8 million, with funds directed to the public-interest fund and the program subject to ongoing judicial monitoring.
• The ruling leans on a city audit showing only about 50.27% of budgeted anti-flood funds were used from 2000 to 2019 and that interventions covered less than 12% of mapped critical areas.
• City hall said it will appeal, arguing its Municipal Risk Reduction Plan is already active with 127 projects finalized, licitations launched for 15 priority areas, and an initial intervention block of roughly R$1.5 billion.
• Official data recorded 707 flood incidents last year, with Itaquera reporting nearly a 30% rise in alerts and Butantã a 62% drop, underscoring uneven exposure across neighborhoods.