Heavy rainfall in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has led to the tragic deaths of 39 individuals, with an additional 68 individuals reported missing, as announced by the state civil defense agency on Friday. The region is grappling with record-breaking floods that have left cities devastated, compelling thousands to abandon their homes.
This marks the fourth environmental catastrophe within a year, following floods in July, September, and November 2023, which collectively claimed the lives of 75 people.
The extent of flooding has surpassed levels witnessed during a historic deluge in 1941, according to the Brazilian Geological Service. Water levels in some cities have reached their highest in nearly 150 years, as per reports from the agency.
On Thursday, a dam at a hydroelectric plant between the cities of Bento Goncalves and Cotipora partially collapsed, leading to entire cities in the Taquari River valley, such as Lajeado and Estrela, being engulfed by water. In Feliz, situated 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the state capital, Porto Alegre, a significantly swollen river washed away a bridge connecting it with the neighboring city of Linha Nova. Operators have reported widespread power outages, disruptions in communication, and water supply cuts across the state. According to the civil defense agency, over 24,000 individuals have been forced to evacuate their homes.
With no access to the internet, telephone services, or electricity, residents have struggled to provide updates or information to their relatives residing in other states.
Helicopters have been continuously flying over the cities while stranded families, including children, await rescue on rooftops.
Isolete Neumann, 58, a resident of Lajeado in the Taquari River valley, expressed her shock, stating that she had never witnessed such a scenario before. "People were making barricades in front of hospitals with sand and gravel.
It felt like a horror movie," she described over the phone to The Associated Press. Neumann noted that some individuals in her region were so desperate that they resorted to throwing themselves into the water currents.
Although Neumann's own neighborhood was not submerged, it has been without running water since Tuesday. She mentioned collecting rainwater in a basin for cooking purposes. Additionally, her clothing store in the city's central area has been flooded. She lamented, "I don’t even know how it must be. There must be nothing left."
The relentless downpour, which commenced on Monday, is anticipated to persist at least through Saturday, as indicated by Marcelo Seluchi, chief meteorologist at the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters.
On Thursday night, Governor Eduardo Leite issued a warning to the state's population, known as gauchos, regarding the ongoing rains and floods. He expressed that the situation was expected to deteriorate in Porto Alegre.
"As a human being, I am devastated inside, just like every gaucho is," he stated. "But as governor, I am here steadfast, and I guarantee that we will not falter. We are acting with focus, attention, discipline, and outrage to ensure that everything within our reach is done."
The first words from Minister Fumio Kishida in the meeting we held were of solidarity with the people of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, who are victims of one of the largest floods we have ever known. Never before in the history of Brazil had there been such a quantity of rain in one single location,” Lula said.
Weather patterns across South America are influenced by the El Niño climate phenomenon, which causes warming of surface waters in the Equatorial Pacific region. Historically, El Niño has resulted in droughts in the north and intense rainfall in the south. Karina Lima, a 36-year-old scientist and PhD candidate in climatology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, informed The Associated Press that the state is located in a region with specific characteristics that amplify the destructive potential of El Niño.
“Models have long predicted that Rio Grande do Sul will continue to experience an increase in average annual precipitation and extreme precipitation, leading to more concentrated and severe rainfall,” she stated.