Floods have killed at least 58 people in southern Brazil. Nearly 70,000 have been forced from their homes. Tens of thousands of people have been left without drinking water or electricity. It's the worst flooding the region has seen in more than 80 years.

State of Rio Grande do Sul

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

Climate Crisis

Brazil is currently grappling with severe floods that have claimed the lives of at least 58 individuals in the southern region of the country. These natural disasters have forced approximately 70,000 residents from their homes, leaving many without access to essential services such as drinking water and electricity. This flood event is recognized as the most catastrophic that the region has experienced in over 80 years.

In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the floods have been described as the gravest disaster in its recorded history, with the situation worsening due to continuous heavy rainfall. Some areas have received up to 800 millimeters of rain, with forecasts predicting that this could rise to 1,000 millimeters. The extensive flooding has impacted at least 300 towns and cities, causing significant damage to infrastructure by destroying bridges and roads. As a result, over 40,000 people have been displaced, and many find themselves isolated without power or internet, hindering their ability to communicate with external authorities.

In Porto Alegre, the state capital, the Guayaba River has overflowed, compelling the closure of four water treatment plants. This development has prompted city officials to warn residents of impending shortages in drinking water supply. Additionally, the adverse weather conditions have triggered landslides and the partial collapse of a dam.

In response to the unfolding crisis, Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has pledged federal assistance to aid in the recovery efforts, emphasizing the priority of saving lives and later focusing on infrastructure repair. The catastrophe has also reignited discussions on the broader implications of global warming and climate change, with scientific communities stressing the urgency of addressing these global issues to prevent future disasters.



'It's going to get worse': Brazil braces for flood peaks

Rescuers are fighting the elements to throw a lifeline to this child. Like her, many others have climbed to the rooftops of their flooded homes, waiting for help to come before the waters swallow their neighborhoods. It's the worst disaster ever recorded in the history of Rio Grande do Sul state, perhaps one of the biggest disasters the country has ever seen, at least in recent history. And it's extremely distressing because the weather has been unrelenting since Monday, with localities receiving 800 millimeters of rain, which could reach 1,000 millimeters. The floods have wreaked havoc in at least 300 towns and cities, destroying bridges and roads. More than 40,000 people have been forced from their homes. Many others are isolated, with no electricity or internet to inform authorities of their whereabouts. Since Tuesday, we had no news of our relatives, but thank God the fire department has told us they are safe. In the state's capital, Porto Alegre, the Guayaba River has broken its banks. Four water treatment plants have been closed, and the mayor has alerted the population that drinking water may soon become scarce. The rains have also caused landslides and the partial collapse of a dam. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has promised the survivors federal aid to rebuild homes and local infrastructure. I know you will need resources to repair the damage, but first and foremost, we have to save lives. But scientists say unless something is done to tackle global warming and climate change, disasters like this one will continue to happen. Monica Yanakieff, Al Jazeera.

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Climate Crisis