The relentless heavy rainfall in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul has resulted in a devastating toll, with local authorities reporting 39 confirmed fatalities as of Friday. Tragically, this figure is anticipated to climb as the search continues for dozens of individuals still unaccounted for.
The civil defense authority of Rio Grande do Sul has disclosed that 68 people remain missing, while an estimated 24,000 individuals have been displaced by the storms, which have impacted over half of the state's 497 cities. Governor Eduardo Leite emphasized the fluidity of these figures, acknowledging that they may evolve as access to affected regions improves in the coming days.
Across numerous towns, the deluge has transformed streets into torrents, causing extensive damage to roads and bridges. Landslides have been triggered, and there has been a partial collapse of a dam structure at a small hydroelectric plant. Compounding the crisis, a second dam in Bento Goncalves is under threat of collapse, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders for residents in the vicinity.
In the capital city of Porto Alegre, the overflow of the Guaiba river has inundated streets, obstructing access to historic central neighborhoods. The state's geographic location, situated at the convergence of tropical and polar climates, has fostered a weather pattern characterized by alternating periods of intense rainfall and drought. Local scientists attribute the intensification of this pattern to climate change.
Rio Grande do Sul had already experienced severe flooding last September, attributed to an extratropical cyclone that claimed over 50 lives. This followed a prolonged period of drought due to the La Nina phenomenon, exacerbating the impact of the subsequent deluge.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva made a visit to the state on Thursday to survey the affected areas and confer with Governor Leite on rescue and recovery efforts. Pledging government support, President Lula affirmed on Friday the commitment to assisting in local rescue operations and reconstruction endeavors.
