2024-05-12 15:21:32
The death toll from the serious floods that have hit southern Brazil for a week has reached 127 and almost two million victims, according to the latest bulletin from the Civil Defense of this country.
According to the organization, the greatest climate tragedy in the history of the southern region of Brazil also left 141 missing and 756 injured.
The most dramatic situation is experienced in Rio Grande do Sul, a state bordering Argentina and Uruguay, where at least 126 deaths have been reported. The other victim was registered in the neighboring state of Santa Catarina.
According to the Civil Defense, the tragedy has spread to 441 of the 497 municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul, where it has affected 1.95 million people, which correspond to 17.3% of the 11.3 million inhabitants of this prosperous state.
Of those affected, 71,409 had to be sheltered in improvised accommodation in schools, gyms and churches and another 339,929 in the homes of family and friends.
The Civil Defense also reported that the rescue work, in which 27,218 firefighters, military and police participated with the support of 3,466 patrols, 41 aircraft and 340 boats, have so far allowed the rescue of 70,863 people and 9,984 animals.
You can read: After La Vorágine: Life, work and death of the great José Eustasio Rivera
The devastating floods destroyed part of some towns; They left numerous municipalities completely underwater and others partially. Like Porto Alegre, the regional capital, and they left a huge trail of destruction.
Cities like Canoas and Eldorado do Sul remain under water and others like Muçum, of which only destruction remained. They begin to plan their reconstruction in higher areas and away from the banks of the rivers.
In Eldorado, although the waters began to recede a little, the streets continue to become true rivers. In which the current is still strong and dangerous.
Through different social networks, photographs can show much of the flooding, numerous dead animals, even horses, and completely destroyed homes. And dozens of vehicles piled up in some areas that begin to appear with the lowering of the waters.
Like many people who live in two-story houses, they preferred to stay in their homes. The Army’s work is no longer focused entirely on rescues but on the distribution of water and food.
Some families, who returned after being evacuated, began to clean their homes. But without knowing if this work will be useful in the face of the new expected rains.
One of the main concerns is the economic impact that the tragedy will have since Rio Grande do Sul is an important agricultural hub in the country and the largest producer of rice in Brazil.
The already serious situation could worsen in the coming days, when new storms with precipitation, cold and strong gusts of wind are expected.
The Government’s forecast is that the rains will reach a volume of 115 millimeters between Saturday and Sunday. Which will once again put pressure on the level of rivers that are already overflowing, according to the Minister of Information, Paulo Pimenta.
You may be interested: A painful search ends after two decades