Authorities in Brazil’s southern region have reported that over a million people do not have access to clean drinking water. Nearly 90,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes due to floods, mudslides, and heavy rainfall. The country’s civil protection officials stated that these disasters have resulted in the deaths of at least 70 individuals and more than a hundred are reported missing.
Evacuees have been relocated to shelters established in various facilities such as sports centers and schools. Tragically, two people lost their lives in an explosion at a flooded gas station in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul. As the floods continue, water levels are expected to rise even further in the area on Monday.
In Porto Alegre, a city with a population of 1.4 million, 70% of the city is without clean water due to overwhelmed water surfaces and strained dams. Masses of water have submerged residential areas, eroded roads, and destroyed bridges, leaving locals stranded on rooftops awaiting rescue. Canoes and small boats are being used to navigate the streets that have become flooded canals.
The flooding has affected not only Porto Alegre but also more than 300 other cities and villages in the region. Governor Eduardo Leite of Rio Grande do Sul has emphasized the need for substantial investments in post-disaster reconstruction efforts. Porto Alegre International Airport has halted all flights indefinitely, intensifying the impact of the devastation on the region.
Environmental scientists attribute these destructive storms to global warming and the El Nino weather phenomenon. Brazil has experienced a series of severe weather events in recent months, including a cyclone in September that resulted in the deaths of at least 31 individuals. The country must now focus on recovery and rebuilding efforts to address the aftermath of these natural disasters.