2024-05-04 22:58:51
At least 10 people have died and more than twenty remain missing after a storm caused flooding in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. In some areas, flooding became so severe that helicopters could not land, forcing local residents to seek shelter.
The state governor has asked the federal government for help, the BBC reports.
“President Lula, please provide us with as much air support as possible in Rio Grande do Sulo. We need to rescue hundreds of people from dozens of municipalities that are in crisis due to the heavy rains that have already occurred and will continue in the coming days.” ,” Governor Eduardo Leite wrote in his address.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva responded by saying the federal government would join forces with state and municipal governments to cope with this difficult period caused by “climate change affecting our planet.”
According to officials, by May 1, 10 people had died from the disaster. Two died after being trapped in a car that was washed away by floods in the small town of Paverama. Another person has died in a landslide in Salvador do Sul.
21 people are still missing and about 1,500 people are isolated.
“We continue to work hard to find missing people and ensure the safety of communities in risk areas,” Leite said.
The mayor of Sinimbu told news site G1 that their city is going through a “true nightmare”. In Candelaria, residents fled to the roofs of their houses as the streets filled with water.
Bridges have been destroyed and more than 20 streets have become impassable, making it difficult for emergency services to deliver aid to affected areas. At the same time, meteorologists are not encouraging with the forecast and warn of upcoming rain in the region as a cold front approaches.
Earlier, Cursor reported that powerful tornadoes hit the United States.