The death toll from heavy rains in Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state has tragically risen to 143, with an additional 125 people still unaccounted for as the downpours persist. Rivers are swelling, and the situation remains "extremely worrying," according to weather service Metsul.
In response to the crisis, the government announced emergency spending of around 12.1 billion reais ($2.34 billion) on Saturday, aimed at addressing the devastation that has displaced over 538,000 people in the state. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pledged to rebuild what was lost, acknowledging the profound impact on families who have lost loved ones.
The federal government has already allocated more than 60 billion reais in funds to assist the state, with ongoing efforts to provide aid and support to those affected. US President Joe Biden expressed solidarity, stating that his administration is coordinating with Brazil to offer assistance and support to affected communities and first responders.
Despite these efforts, the state remains under threat as more rain is forecasted for Monday. The risk of further flooding looms, particularly near the capital Porto Alegre, where the Guaiba lake faces the potential of reaching record levels.
Local scientists attribute the intensified weather pattern to climate change, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to address the growing challenges posed by extreme weather events.
