Heavy rainfall in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul has led to devastating floods, claiming the lives of 37 people, while another 74 remain missing. These record-breaking floods have left cities in ruins and forced thousands to flee their homes, marking the fourth environmental disaster in the region within a year.
The situation has surpassed the severity of floods witnessed in a historic deluge back in 1941, according to the Brazilian Geological Service. Water levels in some areas have reached unprecedented heights, with levels unseen in nearly 150 years of recorded history.
The crisis escalated when a dam at a hydroelectric plant between Bento Goncalves and Cotipora partially collapsed, inundating entire cities in the Taquari River valley like Lajeado and Estrela. In Feliz, a river overflowed, washing away a crucial bridge connecting it with Linha Nova.
The aftermath left communities grappling with severe disruptions in essential services, including electricity, communications, and water supply. Over 23,000 individuals were displaced from their residences, according to reports from the civil defense agency.
With communication networks down, residents struggled to provide updates to their families elsewhere, while those stranded awaited rescue on rooftops, surrounded by rising waters. Helicopters hovered above, conducting ongoing rescue missions.
The heavy downpour began on Monday and is predicted to persist until at least Saturday, as stated by Marcelo Seluchi, the chief meteorologist at Brazil’s National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters.
Governor Eduardo Leite addressed the state’s population, known as gauchos, warning of the continued rainfall and subsequent flooding, particularly in Porto Alegre. Despite personal devastation, he reassured the public of the government’s unwavering commitment to managing the crisis effectively.
Weather patterns across South America are influenced by the climate phenomenon El Niño, which typically leads to droughts in the north and increased rainfall in the south. This year, the impact of El Niño has been notably severe, exacerbating existing environmental challenges. Scientists attribute the heightened frequency of extreme weather events to human-induced climate change.
