April 2022 compared to previous months was considered drier in several areas of the country.
April 2022 compared to previous months was considered drier in several areas of the country. However, storms this month posed risks to the operations of several industries. As far as safety is concerned, weather conditions are a matter of extreme importance, as the impacts of extreme events cause damage to workers and outdoor activities.
According to a Climatempo survey, April last year was a month characterized by perturbations caused by thunderstorms which, in addition to abundant rainfall, also brought a high incidence of lightning throughout Brazil, with an overall incidence of over 2 million beams for the whole month.
At the beginning of autumn in Brazil there is a change in the precipitation pattern and for April 2023 the climate forecasts indicate the same path as in previous years. In this way the heavy rains in the centre-south of the country begin to appear irregularly, with days of more stable weather, low humidity and wide temperature ranges. Instead, the volume of precipitation increases in the North and part of the Northeast.
In the south of the country we have an increase in the frequency of rains, a consequence of the passage of cold fronts and cyclones close to the coast. Along with these cold fronts arrive the masses of cold air that cause drops in temperature in the Center-South, which translate into milder averages.
Rainfall can have various impacts on civil construction and to minimize the damage it is important to adopt preventive measures that take into account climate change and the greater frequency of extreme events. In this way it is possible to adapt projects and practices to ensure the resilience of the structures. Some of the major effects of rainfall include:
- Delays and interruptions in the progress of the works, which affect the completion times and, consequently, the costs of the project;
- Damage to materials and equipment caused by water, as well as prolonged exposure to moisture, can lead to corrosion of equipment and tools;
- Soil erosion and landslides, which compromise the safety and integrity of structures, as well as the feasibility of future projects;
- Increased costs for lost time and damage caused, resulting in the need to replace materials and repair equipment;
- Drainage and flooding problems, which negatively affect the quality of foundations and structures, as well as making work on site more difficult.
Considering the increase in incidence, lightning can also cause significant impacts in the civil construction sector. Although these are less frequent natural events than rain, they can cause various problems and risks related to the work, such as:
- During thunderstorms, workers are at risk from direct exposure, as lightning can cause serious injury or even death;
- Electrical discharges can damage communication systems, computers and other devices and equipment, which can lead to delays and additional costs;
- Lightning can cause damage to structures and building materials, such as cracks in concrete, damage to steel structures, and even fires;
- Due to the associated risks, operations are often disrupted during thunderstorms, causing delays and increasing costs;
- Buildings must be equipped with lightning protection systems to ensure safety and prevent damage, increasing additional costs.
To mitigate the impacts of lightning in the civil construction sector, it is important to adopt preventive and safety measures, such as climate monitoring to help plan activities, as well as safety protocols for workers and protection systems for structures.
Climate monitoring in civil construction brings many benefits to the sector, as it enables professionals to make informed decisions and to adapt to weather conditions in advance, contributing to the efficiency, safety, sustainability and resilience of projects, as well as contribute to the reduction of costs and risks associated with adverse weather conditions.
Problems can happen at any time of the year, so it’s important to monitor and track weather conditions. Climatempo has SMAC, which provides essential information to plan and optimize operations, with warnings sent up to 1 hour in advance for lightning, heavy rain and high winds, preventing accidents, reducing fines and delays in operations.
By AWE Writing
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
