Strong winds in Brazil's largest city, São Paulo, knocked down trees on power lines, leaving millions of residents without electricity and causing the cancellation of nearly 400 flights, authorities reported, according to LETA citing AP.
According to the São Paulo city hall, on Wednesday, under the influence of a cyclone formed in southern Brazil, 231 trees fell on power lines.
The energy company Enel reported that it restored power supply to 1.2 million of its 2.2 million customers in São Paulo and its surroundings; however, on Thursday, electricity was cut off for another 300,000 customers. Thus, on Thursday evening, more than 1.3 million residents of São Paulo remained without electricity.
Enel stated that the problems were caused by winds of about 100 kilometers per hour (28 meters per second) that hit the city on Wednesday. There is no timeline for the full restoration of power supply.
Aviation authorities reported that most of the canceled flights were at the local Congonhas Airport, but the natural disaster also affected the international Guarulhos Airport located outside the city of São Paulo.
The water supply company Sabesp stated on Thursday that the lack of electricity is already affecting its services, as the operation of pumps has been disrupted.
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