The civil defence agency of Brazil reported that a minimum of 55 individuals have lost their lives due to severe floods and mudslides in the southern region of the country.
Nearly 70,000 residents have been compelled to evacuate their residences as a result of this natural disaster. According to the agency, 74 individuals sustained injuries, while 67 others are currently unaccounted for in the aftermath of the devastating flooding.
Two fatalities from an explosion at a flooded gas station in Porto Alegre, where rescue workers were trying to refuel, were not included in the toll. The explosion was seen by an AFP journalist.
Rapidly rising water levels in the state of Rio Grande do Sul were putting stress on dams and posing a special threat to the 1.4 million-person metropolis of Porto Alegre, which is significant economically.
The Guaiba River, which passes through the city, has reached a historic high of 5.04 meters (16.5 feet), significantly higher than the previous record of 4.76 meters that had been in place since the disastrous floods of 1941.
Authorities hurried to evacuate flooded neighborhoods while rescuers searched for the stranded people by maneuvering through waist-deep water with four-wheel-drive vehicles and even jet skis.
Apart from the 69,200 inhabitants who were evicted from their houses, the civil defense reported that over a million people were without access to drinkable water due to the flooding, characterizing the extent of the devastation as incalculable.
Governor Eduardo Leite of Rio Grande do Sul stated that in order to rebuild after the disaster, his state—which is typically among the richest in Brazil—would require a “Marshall Plan” involving significant financial outlays.
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Long lineups developed in many locations as passengers attempted to board buses, despite the cancellation of bus services to and from the city center.
For an undisclosed amount of time on Friday, all flights were canceled at Porto Alegre International Airport.
A video of a soldier being dropped from a helicopter onto a house, where he used a brick to pound a hole in the roof and save a baby covered in blankets, was shared by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The 23-year-old salesman Joao Guilherme made it to safety in the state capital, but he didn’t have his phone with him.
“I have no communication with anybody, I’m very shaken,” he said.
The speed of the rising waters unnerved Greta Bittencourt, 32, a professional poker player.
“It’s terrifying because we saw the water rise in an absurd way, it rose at a very high speed,” Bittencourt said.
“Communities must leave!” Mayor Sebastiao Melo issued a severe warning on social media platform X as waters began to overtop a dike along the Gravatai, another local river.
After four of the city’s six treatment plants had to close, he urged residents to ration water.
Governor Leite described the current state of affairs as “absolutely unprecedented” and the worst in the state’s history during a live Instagram broadcast. The state is home to agroindustrial production of soy, rice, wheat, and corn.
Roads had been destroyed and bridges carried away by strong currents, leaving residential areas submerged as far as the eye could see.
It was an enormous task for the rescuers because entire towns were cut off.
Since Monday, at least 300 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul have experienced storm damage, as reported by local officials.
