Brazil: 60 people died, hundreds missing due to severe floods in Brazil

Devastating flood waters have returned across Brazil this week as heavy rain lashed the country. The death toll due to floods in Brazil's southern state of Rio Grande do Sul is increasing. So 60 people died. At the same time, 74 people are reported missing in government records. Also, more than 69 thousand people have become homeless. Because the storms that have come in the last few days have affected about two-thirds of the city in the state, which is connected to the border of Uruguay and Argentina.

Air service affected by floods

According to a local official, the death toll and the flood situation are being fully ascertained. The official further said that due to floods, roads and many bridges have collapsed in many parts of the state. Landslides have also occurred due to the storm. At least in the city of Bento Gonçalves, a damaged dam is at risk of collapse. After heavy rains, the city's roads, shops, airports are submerged in water. Therefore hundreds of international flights have been cancelled. Yesterday, the Governor called for a Marshall Plan due to the storm and its aftermath in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

an emergency situation

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who visited Rio Grande do Sul on Thursday, will return to the rain-hit state again on Sunday to oversee rescue operations, his communications chief Paulo Pimenta said on Saturday. Lula spoke to X and said his government is in constant contact with state and city officials to ensure the sector receives the support it needs.

Governor discussed Marshall Plan

According to the state weather department, rain is expected over northern and northeastern parts of the state through Sunday, but rainfall amounts are decreasing, and should be less than the peaks seen earlier in the week. Still, “river levels should remain high for a few days,” Leight said earlier Saturday. Rio Grande do Sul is at the geographic meeting point between tropical and polar climates, which has created a weather pattern with intense rainfall and other droughts. Local scientists believe this pattern is intensifying due to climate change.