Torrential rains have triggered devastating floods in southern Brazil, claiming the lives of at least 100 people and displacing thousands from their homes.
The state of Rio Grande do Sul bore the brunt of the heavy downpours last week, resulting in widespread flooding, road washouts, bridge collapses, and landslides across the region.
According to the latest figures from the state civil defence authority, 372 individuals have sustained injuries, while approximately 128 remain unaccounted for. The calamity has affected over 1.45 million people in 417 out of 497 cities in Rio Grande do Sul, with more than 200,000 residents forced to evacuate.
The floodwaters have virtually isolated Rio Grande do Sul from the rest of Brazil, inundating roads and rendering the state’s main airport inoperable for an estimated 30 days.
Porto Alegre, the state capital, faces a severe water crisis, with several water treatment plants ceasing operations, leaving 80% of the population without access to clean drinking water. Authorities have resorted to rationing water supplies and delivering emergency aid to hospitals and shelters.
Additionally, widespread power outages have left many without electricity, further exacerbating the dire situation.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has pledged full government support for the recovery efforts in Rio Grande do Sul, vowing to do “everything in [its] power” to assist the affected communities.
However, rescue operations have been impeded by looting and lingering floodwaters, prompting security patrols by police using boats and jet skis in Porto Alegre.
Despite the challenges, around 15,000 soldiers, firefighters, police, and volunteers are tirelessly working to rescue stranded individuals and distribute essential aid.
Amid the devastation, residents face shortages of basic necessities, including drinking water, as access for supply trucks remains severed in many areas.
The flooding, which began on April 29 and intensified over the following days, marks the fourth environmental disaster to hit Rio Grande do Sul in the past year.
As the region braces for further storms, Brazil’s national centre for natural disasters has issued warnings of a “high risk” of additional flooding, with forecasts predicting more heavy rainfall and strong winds in the coming days.
Army General Marcelo Zucco, leading rescue operations, emphasized the urgency of their efforts ahead of anticipated heavy rains, underscoring the critical need for swift action in the face of ongoing challenges posed by the relentless downpours.