More than 23,000 people have been displaced from their homes, with residents facing challenges in communicating with relatives due to disruptions in services.
In what authorities are describing as the worst disaster in its history, Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul is reeling from the devastating effects of heavy rains and mudslides. The death toll has surged to 37, with 74 individuals reported missing, marking the fourth environmental disaster in a year. The floods have surpassed those of a historic 1941 deluge, with water levels reaching unprecedented heights in some cities.
“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.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has pledged full support to the affected region, promising an abundance of human and material resources to alleviate the suffering caused by the extreme weather conditions. Operators have reported widespread cuts in electricity, communications, and water supply across the state. Silva promised “there will be no lack of human or material resources” to “minimize the suffering this extreme event … is causing in the state”.
Rescue Ops on
Emergency responders are engaged in rescue operations to locate survivors trapped amidst the debris of collapsed homes, bridges, and roads. Governor Eduardo Leite has declared a state of emergency as the region grapples with the aftermath of the catastrophic weather event.
Federal assistance has already been mobilised, with 12 aircraft, 45 vehicles, and 12 boats deployed alongside 626 soldiers to aid in rescue and relief operations. The focus is on clearing roads, distributing essential supplies such as food, water, and mattresses, and establishing shelters for displaced individuals.
Humanitarian Crisis
More than 23,000 people have been displaced from their homes, with residents facing challenges in communicating with relatives due to disruptions in services. Helicopters have been deployed to rescue stranded families awaiting help on rooftops.
Entire communities in Rio Grande do Sul have been completely cut off as the persistent rains have destroyed bridges and blocked roads, and left towns without telephone and internet services.
The authorities have told people to avoid areas along state highways due to the risk of mudslides, and urged those who live near rivers or on hillsides to evacuate.
The heavy downpour, which began on Monday, is projected to continue until at least Saturday, according to Marcelo Seluchi, the chief meteorologist at the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters. The situation remains critical as authorities race against time to provide aid and support to the affected population.
El Niño’s Impact on South America Weather
The climate phenomenon El Niño significantly influences weather patterns in South America. In Brazil, it historically triggers droughts in the north and heavy rainfall in the south. This year, the region faced a severe Amazon drought due to El Niño. Scientists attribute the increased frequency of extreme weather events to human-induced climate change. The warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific region intensifies these effects.