Death toll from heavy rains that have hit Brazil’s southern region of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to at least 78 individuals, with many more still unaccounted for, according to local authorities. The event, which has displaced over 115000 people, marks one of the region’s most devastating climate catastrophes in recent times.
President’s Visit
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, accompanied by members of his cabinet, arrived in Rio Grande do Sul on Sunday morning to survey the damage firsthand and strategize with local authorities on rescue and reconstruction efforts.
Em Porto Alegre com o governador @EduardoLeite_. Todos os poderes e níveis de governo trabalhando unidos neste momento de emergência. Seguiremos trabalhando juntos pela recuperação das regiões afetadas pelas fortes chuvas.
🎥 @ricardostuckert pic.twitter.com/KRKi0iwhro
— Lula (@LulaOficial) May 5, 2024
“Bureaucracy will not stand in our way, stopping us from recovering the state’s greatness,” Lula stated during a press conference. State Governor Eduardo Figueiredo Cavalheiro Leite echoed Lula’s sentiments, characterizing the situation as synonymous to a war zone.
Devastation Caused
The scope of devastation brought by the relentless rains is bewildering, with floods covering more than two-thirds of the nearly 500 municipalities in the state. Infrastructure, including roads and bridges, has been critically affected, worsening the scope of help and rescue operations.
Landslides and the partial collapse of a dam at a hydroelectric power plant have also hindered relief efforts.
As of Sunday evening, over 400000 residents were without power, while approximately one-third of the state’s population lacked access to clean water.
In the state capital of Porto Alegre, the situation is dire, with the Guaíba lake breaching banks and reaching record water levels, according to the national geological service. The city’s international airport has been forced to suspend all flights since Friday.
Volunteer Efforts
Amidst the chaos, ordinary citizens have been risking their own safety to assist in rescue operations. Volunteers armed with boats, jet skis and even makeshift flotation devices have braved the treacherous waters in order to evacuate stranded individuals and families.
Fabiano Saldanha, a 30-year-old resident, recounted how he and three friends utilized jet skis to rescue approximately 50 people from floodwaters in Porto Alegre’s outlying islands.
Rising Death Toll and Missing Individuals
Despite the efforts of rescuers and volunteers, the death toll continues to climb, with 105 individuals reported missing as of Sunday. This hints towards potential unrealized human consequences of the catastrophe.
Climate Context
Climatologists attribute the severity of the storms to a “disastrous cocktail” of climate change and the El Niño effect, warning that such extreme weather events may become increasingly common in the future.
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