Heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding, submerging hundreds of districts in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Officials report that about 150,000 people have lost their homes and at least 137 have died.
Towns remain isolated, and the chances of finding over 130 missing individuals are dwindling. It is anticipated that additional heavy precipitation this week will exacerbate the situation in the region. Many people had to flee their homes, with rescue workers evacuating some of the most vulnerable individuals.
In 345 municipalities, the catastrophe has impacted over 850,000 individuals and caused the destruction of dwellings, roads, and bridges.
Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite, in a statement on May 3, emphasized that there are still areas they have not been able to reach, stating, "We are going through an extremely exceptional situation. This is not just a critical event; it is the most devastating event in the state's history."
Leite mentioned that they had declared a "state of disaster" for 180 days due to the magnitude of the tragedy and stated their efforts to evacuate people.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who visited the disaster area twice, promised to rebuild the region.
Source: Newsroom
