Rio de Janeiro reached a record heat level of 44°C on Monday (February 17), according to the city’s chief meteorologist, Raquel Franco, triggering the “Heat 4” alert for the first time.

The "Heat 4" alert is activated when temperatures between 40°C and 44°C are expected to persist for at least three days. City officials recommended that residents avoid direct sun exposure and implemented protocols for hydration and emergency care.

The intense heat has been compared to desert-like conditions, affecting daily life and work, with residents describing it as unbearable.

The heat wave struck Rio de Janeiro less than two weeks before the world-famous festival, impacting construction workers currently assembling the festival’s installations and raising concerns about the smooth running of the events.

(Production: Renato Spyrro, Sergio Queiroz, Hugo Monnet)