The task of rescuers is daunting, with entire cities practically cut off from the world. And the toll thus increased this Saturday in Brazil, where floods devastated the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Nearly 70 people are also missing in this region in the south of the country where the regional capital Porto Alegre is heavily affected. Roads have been cut by the floods and communications are disrupted in this state where it is expected to rain at least until Sunday and the authorities have given orders to evacuate certain areas of the metropolis of Porto Alegre.
Considerable human and material damage
Housing areas drowned as far as the eye can see, roads destroyed or bridges swept away by the current, not to mention the failure of dams which risk further aggravating the situation: the human and material damage is considerable and especially concentrated in the central region of this State bordering Argentina and Uruguay.
In Porto Alegre, the regional capital with some 1.5 million inhabitants, the disaster will be “unprecedented”, warned Governor Eduardo Leite. On Friday, streets in the historic center of the city were in turn invaded by water due to the exceptional flood of the Guaiba, an emblematic river of southern Brazil. The authorities estimate that the level of Guaiba could reach 5 meters in the coming hours. The historical record, dating from 1941, is 4.71 m.
Some 351,000 victims
According to the governor, the state of Rio Grande do Sul is experiencing the “worst climate disaster in its history”. At least four dams “are in an emergency situation, with a risk of rupture,” local authorities warned. The federal government has therefore committed to sending helicopters and boats, as well as more than 600 soldiers to strengthen relief operations and food distribution.
More than 250 localities have been hit for several days by devastating storms and thunderstorms. The latest count by the authorities lists some 351,000 victims. In total, 23,600 people had to leave their homes. And, in the midst of the disaster, some comforting scenes, such as the rescue of four pregnant women in the town of Agudo, taken by helicopter to a hospital.