The advance of the sea completely transformed the landscape of Atafona, a district in São João da Barra, in Norte Fluminense. The coastal erosion process began in the 1960s and caused the destruction of houses, streets, sewer networks, and electricity structures over the decades. The landscape change can be measured through the accounts of residents who witnessed the progressive loss of territory.
Coastal erosion advanced at an impressive rate, reaching up to 6 meters per year. More than 500 houses have already been submerged in a stretch of approximately 2 kilometers. By 2022, hundreds of houses with residents remained in at-risk areas, as reported by GLOBO. The beach town in Rio de Janeiro state is among the places most affected by sea level rise cited in a UN report.
Among the accounts is that of Sônia Ferreira, who in 2024 told GLOBO that she built her house in 1978, when there were still two blocks between the residence and the sea. Over time, the coastline has been progressively approaching the urban structures, completely transforming the region that once had an avenue and sandy areas that no longer exist today.
