Floods in Brazil: more than 80,000 people were evacuated
In Rio Grande do Sul, more than 80,000 people have been evacuated and 15,000 are in shelters installed by the authorities in the state, while numerous people wait for rescue in their homes.
Porto Alegreone of the largest cities in southern Brazil, with a population of almost 1.4 million, and especially its metropolitan region, were greatly affected.
According to the mayor’s office, the level of Guaíba River nestled in the city marked 5.09 meters, above the record of 4.76 meters recorded when the city suffered historic floods in 1941.
The city was in a state of chaos, AFP noted. Many streets remained under water and residents tried to evacuate their homes.
Floods in Brazil: two dead in an explosion at a service station
In the midst of the rescue efforts, a strong Explosion at a service station left two dead in the north of the city.
The incident occurred when vehicles working in rescues were supplied at the flooded service station, from which a thick cloud of smoke emerged, visible from afar.
In many places, long lines formed to try to board a bus, while car drivers tried to make their way through the floods.
The situation also forced the cancellation of the arrival and departure of buses to the city’s main station, which was flooded.
Porto Alegre airport suspended operations due to flooding
The international airport of Porto Alegre It suspended its operations on Friday for an indefinite period.
In it Navegantes neighborhood, in the northern area of Porto Alegre, José Augusto Moraes from Lima asked the firefighters for help to rescue a child who was trapped in his housesince a leg problem prevented him from taking it with him.
“Suddenly, in a matter of minutes, everything flooded. I lost everything, television, wardrobe, bed, refrigerator,” the 61-year-old shopkeeper told AFP in distress. Leite said it was a “dramatic” and “absolutely unprecedented” situation.
In a joint press conference with several ministers, who traveled to Porto Alegre to cooperate, the governor said he feared that the supply and production chain would be “compromised” in the region.
In a race against time, “tomorrow (Sunday) will be a key day for rescues,” said the Minister of Communication of the Presidency, Paulo Pimenta.
The mayor of Porto Alegre, Sebastiao Melo, urged the population to ration water, after four of the city’s six treatment plants had to be closed.
Source: Ambito
