The TRMM satellite has been collecting data that improves understanding of rainfall in the tropics since it's launch in 1997. The satellite also provides timely data about the development of tropical cyclones. One of these tropical cyclones called Chanda was hitting the coast of Madagascar when TRMM saw it on 8 January 2012 at 2213 UTC. A red tropical storm symbol is shown at Chandra's approximate location. Data from TRMM's Precipitation Radar (PR) and Microwave Imager (TMI) instruments shows that Chanda was dropping light to moderate rainfall over large areas of southern Madagascar. Deadly

In the last week the South American Convergence Zone (SACZ) has caused heavy rains and severe floods in Southeastern Brazil's states Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro. NOAA's Hydrological Prediction Center (HPC) is forecasting an intensification of the SACZ in the next days over that area. Flooding and mudslides from days of heavy rain in southeastern Brazil has forced thousands to flee their homes. Rainfall estimates from the TRMM-based, near-real time Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center are shown above for the week from 30