Southern Brazil is facing a devastating flood crisis, with dozens dead or missing and tens of thousands displaced due to relentless rains.
The state of Rio Grande do Sul has been particularly hard hit, with at least 39 fatalities and 68 people unaccounted for. The flooding, triggered by days of heavy rainfall, has affected over 265 municipalities, forcing over 24,000 residents to flee their homes.
The deluge has caused extensive damage to houses, bridges, and roads, rendering many impassable. Additionally, a hydroelectric dam breach has exacerbated the situation, unleashing a 2-meter-high wave that worsened flooding in the region. Responding to the crisis, over 2,000 civilian rescue workers and 900 soldiers have been mobilized to aid in rescue operations.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has labeled the disaster one of the most severe floods in the nation's history, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the rainfall. Lula expressed this sentiment during a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Brasilia, emphasizing the scale of the calamity faced by Brazil.