Nearly 90,000 individuals have been forced to evacuate their homes in Brazil’s southern region due to flooding, mudslides, and heavy rainfall. According to the country’s civil protection authorities, the floods have resulted in the deaths of at least 70 people, with over a hundred individuals still missing.
Those who have been displaced by the flooding have sought refuge in shelters set up in various locations such as sports centers, schools, and other facilities. However, tragedy struck again when two individuals died in an explosion at a flooded gas station in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul.
The rains are expected to continue on Monday, with forecasters predicting that water levels will rise even further. Water levels have already caused severe strain on dams and led to overwhelming flooding in Porto Alegre. The city of 1.4 million residents is facing a critical shortage of drinking water, with 70% of the population affected.
Residential areas have been submerged, roads destroyed, and bridges swept away due to the powerful currents of floodwater. Many people in Porto Alegre have taken to rooftops to await rescue while others navigate flooded streets in canoes and small boats. Over 300 other cities and villages are also grappling with the devastating impact of the floods.
Governor Eduardo Leite of Rio Grande do Sul has acknowledged that significant investments will be needed for post-disaster recovery efforts. The Porto Alegre International Airport has been forced to suspend all flights indefinitely due to the floods. Environmental scientist Francisco Eliseu Aquino attributes the destructive storms to global warming and the El Nino weather phenomenon and warns that there will be an increased frequency of extreme weather events in Brazil moving forward