Torrential Rains in Brazil’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul killed at least 56 people, while dozens remain unaccounted for, Al Jazeera reported.
Brasilia: At least 56 people were killed and thousands were displaced due to torrential rains, followed by floods in Brazil, Al Jazeera reported citing the government. Rescue operations are underway and rescue teams are continuously trying to locate survivors who are trapped in the debris of houses, roads and bridges.
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The surge in water levels in the state of Rio Grande do Sul is straining dams and threatening the metropolis of Porto Alegre, the country’s civil defence agency said, according to Al Jazeera. Governor Eduardo Leite declared a state of emergency as the region grapples with the aftermath of the catastrophic weather event.
“We are dealing with the worst disaster in [our] history,” Governor Leite lamented, acknowledging the grim reality that the death toll is expected to rise further as rescue efforts continue, as reported by Al Jazeera.
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President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pledged full support to the affected region, assuring that “there will be no lack of human or material resources” to alleviate the suffering caused by the extreme weather conditions.
Forecasters have issued warnings of further peril, as the state’s main Guaiba river is anticipated to reach alarming levels, exacerbating the existing crisis. Entire communities have been cut off, with infrastructure severely compromised by the relentless downpour.
The dire situation has prompted authorities to urge residents to evacuate from high-risk areas near rivers and hillsides susceptible to mudslides. Access to basic amenities such as drinking water has been disrupted, leaving hundreds of thousands without essential services.
Notably, floods and mudslides are the byproduct of extreme weather events plaguing Brazil.
As per expert, the rise in such disaster incidents is tied to the harsh impacts of climate change. The scenario has been particularly dire due to a recent chill wind that swept across the south and southeast, following a wave of extreme heat, Al Jazeera reported.
