The death toll continues to rise in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande Do Sul, in the wake of torrential rains and floods. At least 138 people have died and thousands lack water and electricity as floodwaters inundate entire towns.

State of Rio Grande do Sul

The Brazilian state of Rio Grande Do Sul is grappling with the devastating aftermath of torrential rains and floods, with the death toll rising to at least 138 individuals. The natural disaster has left thousands without access to water and electricity, as floodwaters have enveloped entire towns in the region.

In Porto Alegre, soldiers are actively evacuating residents who have been trapped in their homes since the weekend, due to the rising floodwaters. The Guayiba River, which has swelled beyond its banks in the historic downtown area, has led to sewage overflowing onto the streets, creating contaminated pools. Military operations have expanded to the city of El Dorado, across the river, where evacuees are being brought to safety.

Maria Eduarda Santos, a resident affected by the floods, recounted her harrowing experience alongside her one-year-old baby, describing the conditions they faced as akin to a "tsunami." After the floods began, Santos and approximately 150 others sought refuge in a school, facing a dire lack of food and water. Despite losing everything, survivors like Santos and her brother, who were eventually rescued, are now faced with the daunting task of rebuilding their lives.

The floods are reported to be the worst the state of Rio Grande Do Sul has ever witnessed, affecting nearly 1.5 million people. Factors such as climate change and the El Niño phenomena are believed to be contributing to the severity of the disaster. Rescue operations are underway, prioritizing women, children, and the elderly, but the process is slow, hindered by the vast extent of the flooding.

Volunteers from across Brazil are joining the rescue efforts, employing various means, including surfboards, to help evacuate those stranded. The government has initiated the release of emergency funding aid to address the crisis. However, with over 400 municipalities still submerged and nearly 50,000 people lacking shelter, the situation remains critical as waters show no signs of receding.



‘Desperate’ rescues under way as Brazil floods kill hundreds

Soldiers continue to evacuate residents of Porto Alegre, trapped in their homes since the weekend. The flooded Guayiba River continues to rise in the historic downtown area, where sewage has overflown onto the streets, turning them into contaminated pools. Military boats bring in evacuees from El Dorado, a city across the river. Maria Eduarda Santos says she and her one-year-old baby are lucky to be alive. A lot of people drowned. We saw dead horses floating in the river. It was like a tsunami. Last Thursday, the water started rising at five in the morning. We escaped to the top floor of a school with about 150 other people. No water, no food. People were desperate. No one knew what was happening. Maria Eduarda and her brother were finally rescued, but had to leave everything they had behind. I asked Mario Santos what he and his family will do. No, I have no idea. I'll go to my sister's house for now. We lost everything. We have nothing left. Nearly 1.5 million people have been affected by the unprecedented floods, the worst ever seen in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Maria Eduarda and her brother Al Jazeera accompanied the army on a rescue boat, passing submerged homes on the way to El Dorado. The sergeant believes climate change, along with the El Niño phenomena, are responsible for this disaster. Rescue teams using jet skis and rubber dinghies can only bring one or two people out at a time to the waiting military boat. Women, children and the elderly are given priority. I live in the city of El Dorado, and just over there you can't see it because it's absolutely covered in water. About six days ago the water started rising, these people tell me, and now it's been at least three days since it was completely covered. They've been waiting for that long, and there's still thousands and thousands more waiting to be rescued. It's a painfully slow process. Help is coming from all over Brazil. Volunteers bringing anything that floats, even surfboards, to evacuate people. The government is releasing emergency funding aid, but more than 400 municipalities of the state and its colonial-style capital are still flooded. Nearly 50,000 people have no shelter, and the waters show no sign of receding. Lucia Newman, Al Jazeera, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

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