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Severe flooding and heavy rainfall have wrought havoc in Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state this week, resulting in a tragic death toll of at least 29 individuals, with another 60 reported missing.
In response to the crisis, the local government has declared a state of calamity across more than 67,000 affected individuals in nearly 150 municipalities. The situation has led to the displacement of almost 10,000 people, with over 4,500 seeking refuge in temporary shelters, according to civil defense reports.
Authorities are closely monitoring the status of dams, which are under strain from the unprecedented volume of water. Although there is currently no immediate risk of failure, precautionary measures are being implemented.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held a meeting with local officials overseeing relief efforts on Thursday to address the unfolding situation. Governor Eduardo Leite described the events as a "historic disaster," emphasizing the massive material losses and the ongoing focus on rescue operations.
Footage from affected areas depicts floodwaters rising to rooftop levels, prompting rescue teams to deploy inflatable rafts to evacuate individuals and pets.
Rio Grande do Sul has experienced an increasing number of extreme weather incidents in recent years, with more than 30 fatalities recorded in September due to heavy rainfall.
The escalation of extreme weather events worldwide is attributed to the climate crisis, primarily driven by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels. This global phenomenon has intensified and increased the frequency of such events.
Recent weeks have seen record-breaking rainfall leading to deadly floods in Dubai, a prolonged heatwave causing reservoirs to dry up in Southeast Asia, and devastating floods in Kenya that claimed nearly 200 lives. Last year was marked as the hottest on record, with temperatures surpassing predictions.
According to the UN, the frequency of high-intensity hurricanes and tropical cyclones has risen due to rising global temperatures. Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and enduring longer periods.
Scientists have also observed that these storms are more likely to stall, leading to prolonged and severe rainfall, especially after making landfall.