The floods due to river overflows and landslides after the heavy rains in southern Brazil caused at least 31 dead and 74 missing. One of the states that is on alert is that of Rio Grande do Sulwhich has suffered dam breaks that threaten to worsen the disaster.
According to a new balance of Civil defenseIn addition to the deceased and the people who are missing, there are 56 injured. Also, they indicated that the climate phenomenon affected 351,000 inhabitantswith some 17,000 evicted in 235 municipalities.
The disaster left by the storm in Brazil
The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leitedescribed the situation as “the worst disaster” in the state’s history. This can be seen in the images that were shared after the phenomenon, where huge surfaces are completely flooded, rivers washing away bridges and roads, and people being rescued on roofs or about to be swept away by floodwaters.
In any case, the official assured that the figures of the catastrophe are “preliminaries“and that the waters that cover the areas prevent us from measuring the magnitude of what was the disaster.
At the same time, he warned about the rapid rise of the Guaíba River in Porto Alegre, which could reach the level of five meters. This would become the biggest flood in the city’s historyexceeding that recorded in 1941, he warned.
For their part, the rescue brigades are trying to reach the municipalities that were left isolated, without communications and with blocked roads, to guarantee the supply of food. In addition, the federal government mobilized 12 aircraft, 45 vehicles and 12 boats, in addition to sending 626 members of the Armed Forces to help the affected population.
Regarding that, the President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvatraveled to Rio Grande do Sul and assured that “ there will be no shortage of resources“to face the crisis.
Brazil: weather conditions make aid efforts difficult
After the disaster, weather forecasts indicate that the heavy rain will continue until Saturday, so the situation could get worse. Furthermore, the rains persist and make relief efforts difficult since many areas are still inaccessible.
This is the second catastrophe that Rio Grande Sul has suffered in a short time. Last September, a Devastating cyclone left at least 31 people dead.
According to experts, global warming worsens the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events that have hit Brazil. The situation is further aggravated by the El Niño climate phenomenon.
Source: Ambito
