Heavy seasonal rainfall flooded the Anhangabaú tunnel in São Paulo, leading to a mass pileup of vehicles and leaving motorists stranded inside the passageway, according to local reports.
The Anhangabaú tunnel, which runs beneath a central area of Brazil’s largest city, is a major artery for traffic and pedestrian access. Flooding in the tunnel halted movement as rising water and stalled vehicles created a backlog that left people unable to leave their cars.
Photographs and accounts circulating in local media showed multiple vehicles bunched together inside the inundated tunnel. The stranded motorists remained in place while conditions inside the tunnel complicated attempts to clear the roadway.
Urban flooding during intense downpours is a recurrent problem in São Paulo, where heavy rain can quickly overwhelm drainage systems and disrupt transport. The incident highlights the vulnerability of low-lying and underground infrastructure to sudden severe weather in the region.
In similar incidents, municipal authorities and emergency services typically work to evacuate those at risk and restore traffic flows once water levels recede and the scene is secured. Local residents and commuters affected by the event are likely to face continued delays as authorities assess and address damage.