Authorities in southern Brazil have issued warnings as new heavy rains are expected to worsen the flooding situation, particularly between Sunday and Monday.
The ongoing floods have already claimed the lives of 136 people, with hundreds injured and many more missing. State authorities have cautioned about the risk of rising waters and landslides, emphasizing the continuation of the emergency in affected areas.
Last week, intense rainfall led to overflowing rivers in the agricultural state, leaving over 800 injured and causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure. More than two million people have been affected by the floods, with over half a million forced to evacuate and seek shelter.
The National Confederation of Municipalities reported that over 92,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed.
Officials and experts attribute the severity of the floods to climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon. President Joe Biden expressed condolences for the loss of life and pledged support from the United States to assist Brazilian authorities in addressing the crisis.
Residents have been urged to avoid flooded areas due to safety hazards such as downed power lines, with risks of electrocution.
Rescue efforts have been ongoing, with volunteers and emergency responders working tirelessly to provide aid and evacuate affected individuals, including pets in need of care.
In the Sao Joao neighborhood, volunteers and firefighters have been delivering supplies to residents using jet skis and inflatable boats. Military and security forces are also involved in relief operations. The federal government has mobilized resources, distributing food and supplies while promising substantial financial assistance for reconstruction efforts.
Despite the challenges, efforts to restore normalcy are underway in some areas, with shops and restaurants reopening in Porto Alegre.
However, water supplies remain disrupted, necessitating the delivery of clean water via tanker trucks. Cleanup operations are also in progress, with vacuum trucks removing muddy floodwater from streets and buildings.
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The situation in Brazil underscores the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including floods, forest fires, heatwaves, and droughts, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated global action to address climate change and its devastating impacts.
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