Torrential rains in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul have caused widespread devastation, resulting in 39 fatalities and leaving 74 individuals unaccounted for, according to a report by Reuters. The unprecedented rainfall has triggered catastrophic floods, causing extensive damage to urban areas and compelling thousands of residents to flee their residences.
This event signifies the fourth destructive flood to strike Brazil within a span of 12 months. According to a report from the British news website The Guardian, previous floods occurred in July, September, and November of the preceding year, leading to the tragic loss of 75 lives.
As per the Brazilian Geological Service’s report, the scale of the floods across the state has exceeded that of the catastrophic deluge of 1941. In specific areas, water levels reached unprecedented heights, unmatched in almost 150 years of documented history, as stated by The Guardian.
On Thursday, the situation escalated dramatically as a dam at a hydroelectric facility, located between the cities of Bento Goncalves and Cotipora, experienced a partial collapse. Entire communities in the Taquari River valley, including Lajeado and Estrela, were entirely submerged by the unyielding floodwaters.
In Feliz, a municipality positioned 50 miles (80 km) from the state capital, Porto Alegre, a surging river forcibly carried away a vital bridge that connected it to the nearby city of Linha Nova.
According to reports, there are extensive disruptions in vital services, with electricity, communication, and water supplies significantly affected throughout the state. The Civil Defense Agency stated that more than 23,000 people were forced to leave their homes.
In the midst of the turmoil, locals struggled with the lack of internet, phone service, and power, making it difficult for them to relay crucial updates to relatives in different areas. Helicopters tirelessly surveyed the skies above flooded regions, while families, including children, awaited rescue on rooftops.
The continuous rainfall, which began on Monday, continues unabated and is expected to persist until at least Saturday, as stated by Marcelo Seluchi, the chief meteorologist at the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts of Natural Disasters, during an interview on Brazil’s public television network on Friday.
In a pressing message to the state’s residents on Thursday evening, Governor Eduardo Leite emphasized the seriousness of the ongoing rains and floods. He conveyed heartfelt sympathy for the hardships faced by the populace, often referred to as gauchos, while reaffirming unwavering determination in handling the crisis.
Governor Leite, as quoted by The Guardian, expressed deep sadness, resonating with the sentiment of every gaucho. Yet, in his capacity as governor, he affirmed his steadfast commitment to channeling every conceivable effort with unwavering focus, attention, discipline, and determination.
The weather dynamics throughout South America are closely tied to the climatic phenomenon called El Niño, which is marked by the warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific region. In Brazil, El Niño commonly brings about droughts in the north and increased rainfall in the south.
This year, the impact of El Niño has been notably harsh, as seen in the unprecedented drought in the Amazon. Scientists link the heightened occurrence of extreme weather events to human-induced climate change, emphasizing the pressing necessity for coordinated global efforts.
