In Canoas, Brazil, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has urged Congress to declare a state of public calamity in response to the devastating floods that have claimed the lives of at least 85 people in Rio Grande do Sul, the country’s southernmost state. With more than 130 individuals still missing and approximately 150,000 displaced, the situation remains dire, affecting over two-thirds of the state’s cities.
The floods have caused widespread destruction, damaging roads, bridges, and triggering landslides across several areas. Lula’s request to Congress seeks authorization for additional government spending, bypassing fiscal constraints imposed by last year’s fiscal rules. Furthermore, expenses related to the state’s recovery efforts will not be factored into the government’s fiscal calculations.
Minister of Planning Simone Tebet emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the extent of the damage, which will only become fully apparent once the floodwaters recede. For residents like Flavio Rosa, 72, the scale of devastation is unprecedented, even in a region accustomed to annual rainfall.
Although weather conditions improved temporarily, forecasts indicate the possibility of further showers in the coming weeks. Meteorologists warn that severe conditions may persist in some areas for an extended period.
Governor Eduardo Leite has cautioned that the death toll could rise significantly as rescue operations progress. The floods have also disrupted businesses, with several pork and poultry plants forced to suspend operations. The oil industry has also been affected, leading to adjustments in biofuel mandates and temporary disruptions in train services.
The impact extends to transportation, with operations at Porto Alegre’s Salgado Filho International Airport suspended indefinitely. As the region grapples with the aftermath of the disaster, efforts are underway to assess the full extent of the damage and provide relief to those affected.
