Rescuers rushed to evacuate people stranded by devastating floods across the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul on Tuesday, with at least 90 dead, thousands left homeless, and desperate survivors seeking food and basic supplies

State of Rio Grande do Sul

Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently amid rising sea-levels and increasing temperatures.

Climate Crisis

Severe flooding in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has led to devastating consequences, with at least 90 individuals confirmed dead and more than 150,000 left homeless. The natural disaster has prompted extensive rescue operations, aiming to evacuate those stranded in the affected areas. Victims of the disaster are in desperate need of food and basic supplies amidst the chaos.

The impact of the floods has been particularly acute in Porto Alegre, the state capital, where the Guaiba River has overflowed, leading to record water levels. In response, relatives of those missing have been stationed by the river’s shore, hoping to spot their loved ones among the rescued. Among them, Taina Silva anxiously awaits any news regarding the whereabouts of her husband, highlighting the personal tragedies unfolding as the community grapples with the disaster.

The adverse weather conditions that began last week have resulted in rivers spilling over, engulfing entire towns and severely damaging infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and airports. As rescue efforts continue, many residents are still waiting for evacuation by boat or helicopter from areas hit hardest by the downpour. 

Currently, forecasts suggest a brief respite in the rainfall, though it is expected to resume over the weekend. The flooding is attributed to a combination of this year’s El Nino phenomenon, which has led to a heatwave, a cold front from the Antarctic, and unusual humidity levels in the Atlantic. 

Beyond the immediate fatalities and displacements, the floods in Porto Alegre, a city with 1.3 million inhabitants, have also wreaked havoc on critical infrastructure. The breach of the Guaiba River’s banks has not only put downtown streets underwater but has also impaired water and electricity services, affecting more than 1.4 million people.



Brazil floods leave 150,000 homeless, scores dead

Rescue has rushed to evacuate people stranded by devastating floods across the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul on Tuesday. The deluge has left at least 90 dead and over 150,000 homeless, with many desperate survivors seeking food and basic supplies. Relatives waited at the shore of the Guaiba River in the state capital of Porto Alegre to find their loved ones on the boats that brought rescued people from flood-hit areas. Taina Silva is still waiting for news on her husband. My daughter won't stop crying. There are firefighters there, but they say they can't do anything from there, so I should come here and ask the firefighters here if they can save my husband there. The flooding has made rescue efforts even tougher, with dozens of people still waiting to be evacuated by boat or helicopter from rain-stricken homes. The downpour that began last week has caused rivers to flood, inundating whole towns, destroying roads, bridges and airports. Now the rain is forecast to let up on Thursday, but then will continue through the weekend. Experts say it's driven by a heatwave caused by this year's El Nino phenomenon, meeting a cold front coming off the Antarctic and unusual humidity in the Atlantic. In Porto Alegre, a city of 1.3 million inhabitants, downtown streets were underwater after the Guaiba River breached its banks with record water levels. Civil defence authorities say the floods have also impacted water and electricity services, with more than 1.4 million affected overall.

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