Lula promises to “recover the damage” caused by heavy rains in Sao Paulo

The president of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvapromised this Monday to “recover, really, the havoc” caused by the rains on the coast of sao paulowhich leave at least 36 dead and 40 missing, and rebuild the affected homes in “safe” areas.

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“I can guarantee that my ministers will be willing to talk so that we can make an alliance to really recover the damage that the rain caused here in Sao Paulo”said the president in a statement in Sao Sebastiao, the most punished municipality.

Lula interrupted his rest days in the state of Bahia to fly over and see in situ the areas affected by the intense storm that hit the tourist coast of the state of Sao Paulo over the weekend, in the middle of the celebrations for Carnival.

The rains have left a trail of destruction in the region that has forced more than 2,000 people to leave their homes, in addition to the 36 deaths and 40 missing reported so far, according to the latest official balance.

View of an area affected by flooding in the Juquehy district in Sao Sebastiao, Sao Paulo state, Brazil, on February 20, 2023. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP) (NELSON ALMEIDA /)

The rescue brigades are working this Monday in the search for survivors, in an operation involving more than 600 police, firefighters and soldiers, according to official sources.

In his statement to the media, the progressive leader made federal resources available to local authorities to “help recover” the city of Sao Sebastiao, where 35 of the 36 deaths have been registered, according to official data.

CHECK HERE: Lula flies over the areas affected by heavy rains in Sao Paulo

“You are going to have a nest again to take care of your families”assured the affected families present at the event.

The head of state also wanted to send a message of unity alongside the governor of Sao Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, an ally of the now far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro.

“It is a demonstration that it is possible to exercise our functions in a democracy, even if we belong to different parties. The common good is much more important than any divergence we may have”he expressed.

With this atmosphere of cordiality, he asked the municipal authorities to find a safe area to “rebuild” the houses that were buried or were seriously damaged by landslides during the rains.

“From time to time, nature surprises us, but many times we also defy it,” that’s why you have to think “in a safe place so that we can begin to rebuild the houses of the people of Sao Sebastiao”he pointed.

Lula also urged to work together to rehabilitate the highway that connects the cities of Santos and Rio de Janeiro, which has suffered numerous damages.

“We want to help recover this city”he insisted.

Source: Elcomercio