Floods in Brazil: deaths rise to 67 and 101 missing due to rains in the south

Devastating floods in the south Brazil caused the death of at least 67 people, while another 101 are still missing, authorities reported this Sunday morning.

The State of Rio Grande do Sulin the border Argentina It is Uruguay and the most affected by the rains, recorded 66 deaths in the last balance, while the neighboring state of Santa Catarina recorded one death.

People are evacuated from a flooded area in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, on May 4, 2024. (Photo by Carlos Fabal / AFP) (CARLOS FABAL/)

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In addition, authorities are investigating whether another six deaths are related to the climate tragedy that has hit the south of the country since the beginning of the week and is already considered the worst natural disaster in the region’s history.

The floods displaced tens of thousands of people. A total of 80,573 inhabitants had to abandon their homes and move to the homes of family and friends, while 15,192 found accommodation in public shelters.

In Rio Grande do Sul, with a population of eleven million people, around 421 thousand homes remain without electricity as of this morning and 115 municipalities do not have telephone and internet services.

Regarding communication routes, there are still 61 roads with total and partial closures due to river flooding.

People are evacuated from a flooded area in a skid steer in the São Geraldo neighborhood, in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, on May 4, 2024. (Photo by Anselmo Cunha / AFP) (ANSELMO CUNHA/)

The level of Guaíba Riverwhose waters flooded the historic center of the regional capital of Porto Alegrecity ​​of 1.3 million inhabitants, grew again this morning to 5.33 centimeters, the highest mark in history.

On the other hand, the city’s international airport, which closed on Friday night after floodwaters reached its take-off and landing sites, remains closed.

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After visiting the affected region on Thursday, the president of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvatravels again this Sunday to Rio Grande do Sul to monitor the response to the emergency, for which the Government deployed a thousand soldiers to help the regional Executive.

Aerial view of the flooded streets of the Navegantes neighborhood, in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, on May 4, 2024. (Photo by Carlos Fabal / AFP) (CARLOS FABAL/)

Authorities in Rio Grande do Sul warned that, despite the reduction in rain over the weekend, the flooding is still expected to continue for several days.

the south of Brazil last year suffered a series of extreme weather events associated with El Niño phenomenonwhich causes an increase in rainfall in this part of the country.

Source: Elcomercio