NEW DELHI: The burden from floods and landslides triggered by heavy winds in southwestern Brazil rose to 39 on Friday, authorities confirmed, with fears mounting over the situation’s intensity.
Recovery groups continued their search for a large number of missing people amid the wreckage of crumbling infrastructure as the weather continued.
In Rio Grande do Sul, rising water rates posed a threat to rivers and put the city of Porto Alegre at risk of “unprecedented” flood, government cautioned.
Governor Eduardo Leite urged people to prepare for worsening circumstances, especially in the urban area, in a sobering statement released on Friday. The capital city, home to approximately 1.5 million people, witnessed flood as a result of prolonged heavy snowfall.
The government’s legal defense ministry reported wind damage across 265 communities since Monday, with 74 wounds and over 24, 000 deflections, a fourth of whom have sought refuge in shelters. Additionally, 68 individuals were reported missing, and over 350, 000 experienced property damage.
The crisis extended to dam safety, with officials highlighting four dams in a state of emergency, at risk of collapse.
The Guiaba River’s level soared significantly, making measurement impossible because gauges were blown away, according to Porto Alegre’s mayor. As water levels remained in the sky, authorities rushed to build flood defenses.
Elsewhere in the state, communities found themselves isolated, lacking basic amenities like drinking water, telecommunications, and electricity. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, president of the affected area, expressed his full support for the disaster, which he attributed to climate change.
The federal government dispatched resources, including aircraft, boats, and over 600 soldiers, to assist in relief efforts such as clearing roads, distributing essential supplies, and establishing shelters. School closures were implemented statewide.
( With inputs from agencies )
