Over a million people in Brazil’s southern region lack access to clean drinking water, according to authorities. Nearly 90,000 individuals have been forced to evacuate their homes due to flooding, mudslides, and heavy rainfall. The floods have resulted in the deaths of at least 70 people and left over a hundred individuals missing.
Those displaced by the floods have taken refuge in shelters set up in various locations such as sports centers, schools, and other facilities. Unfortunately, two people also lost their lives in an explosion at a flooded gas station in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul.
According to forecasters, water levels are expected to rise on Monday as the rains continue. In Rio Grande do Sul, water levels have rapidly increased due to severe strain on dams, leading to overwhelming flooding in Porto Alegre. The city of 1.4 million residents is facing a critical shortage of drinking water with 70% of the population affected.
Residential areas have been submerged, roads destroyed and bridges swept away due to powerful currents of floodwater. Many people in Porto Alegre have taken to rooftops while others navigate flooded streets using canoes and small boats. Over 300 other cities and villages are also grappling with the devastating impact of the floods.
Governor Eduardo Leite has acknowledged that significant investments will be needed for post-disaster recovery efforts. Porto Alegre International Airport has suspended all flights indefinitely due to the disaster situation. Environmental scientist Francisco Eliseu Aquino attributes the destructive storms to global warming and El Nino weather phenomenon, warning that there is an increased frequency of extreme weather events in Brazil.
In summary, over a million people lack access to clean drinking water while nearly 90,000 individuals were forced out of their homes due to natural disasters that hit Brazil’s southern region recently. The disaster has caused significant damage with roads destroyed and bridges swept away while many took refuge on rooftops waiting for rescue or navigated through flooded streets using canoes and small boats.
The governor has acknowledged that significant investments will be needed for recovery efforts while environmental experts warn about the increased frequency of extreme weather events resulting from global warming and El Nino weather phenomenon.