The southern region of Brazil is grappling with catastrophic floods that have claimed at least 100 lives and left over 163,000 people homeless.
Rescue efforts were halted on Wednesday as heavy rains continued to batter the area, bringing the risk of lightning and strong winds that could worsen the disaster. The incessant downpours, which began last week, have destroyed vital infrastructure including highways and bridges in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which shares borders with Uruguay and Argentina.
In the state capital of Porto Alegre, the Guaiba River overflowed, submerging city streets and homes. “We’ve lost everything,” lamented resident Adriana Freitas. “It’s sad when we see the city, our house, in the middle of the water. It seems like it’s over, that the world has ended.”
The state’s civil defense authority reported that at least 128 people remain missing. Authorities have issued urgent evacuation notices for residents near the Patos Lagoon, south of Porto Alegre, due to rising water levels.
In the town of Canoas, just north of Porto Alegre, waters have reached depths of up to three meters. Army soldiers employed amphibious armored vehicles to navigate the flooded streets and rescue stranded residents, as boats became the only viable means of transportation.
The unprecedented scale of the disaster has prompted discussions on the impact of climate change and the need for robust disaster preparedness. As Brazil contends with this tragedy, the global community watches with concern, recognizing the universal challenges posed by extreme weather events.
Reference(s):
Brazil floods: 100 lives lost, rescues interrupted by heavy rain
cgtn.com
