Heavy rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil’s southernmost state, has led to a death toll of 100, as reported by local civil defence on Wednesday. The region, which borders Uruguay and Argentina, is anticipating further rainfall in the days to come. The downpours have caused significant flooding, resulting in the destruction of bridges and buildings and the displacement of over 163,000 people. Streets have been transformed into rivers, and 128 people are currently unaccounted for.
Resident of state capital Porto Alegre, Adriana Freitas, described the devastating scene, saying they have lost everything and it feels like the end of the world to see their city submerged.
The national centre for natural disasters in Brazil warned on Tuesday about a high risk of additional flooding in the southern part of the state on Wednesday, as more rainfall was forecasted. While the incoming rainfall may not be extensive, it could prove disastrous given the already high water levels and saturated soil in many areas.
MetSul, the weather forecaster, issued a statement warning about the potential for even bigger and serious floods in the region.
In light of these events, the federal government showed its support for Rio Grande do Sul, promising to provide financial assistance through credit lines to affected businesses, farmers, cities, and the state government. Brazil’s president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, acknowledged the state’s dire financial predicament during an event in Brasília and assured that all entitled aid would be granted.
The full extent of the flood damage remains unclear until water levels recede to normal, according to Lula. Civil defence statistics highlight that the heavy rains have impacted 417 out of the 497 towns in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, demonstrating the widespread destruction caused by these natural disasters.
-Reuters
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