Brazil Floods: Death Toll Climbs to 75 as Devastation Grips Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil Floods: Death Toll Climbs to 75 as Devastation Grips Rio Grande do Sul (Image/Reuters)

VoM News Desk | May 6, 2024 | 09:02 AM IST | Brazil, World | Follow on Google News

Brazil Floods: Death Toll Climbs to 75 as Devastation Grips Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil Floods: Death Toll Climbs to 75 as Devastation Grips Rio Grande do Sul

Key Highlights:

1. Death toll reaches 75 in Brazil floods, with 103 people reported missing.
2. Over 88,000 displaced and 16,000 seeking refuge in temporary shelters.
3. State of emergency declared as authorities race against time to rescue survivors.

The death toll in Brazil’s devastating floods has surged to 75, with 103 individuals still missing as the calamity wreaks havoc in the southern Rio Grande do Sul state, according to Al Jazeera. More than 88,000 people have been displaced from their homes, with approximately 16,000 seeking shelter in schools, gyms, and other temporary accommodations.

State Governor Eduardo Leite has described the situation as unprecedented, emphasizing the scale of devastation faced by the region. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, accompanied by top ministers, including Defence Minister Jose Mucio and Finance Minister Fernando Haddad, surveyed the affected areas from a helicopter during his second visit to Rio Grande do Sul.

Rescue operations are underway to locate survivors trapped amidst collapsed homes, bridges, and roads. The rising water levels in the state are straining dams and threatening the metropolis of Porto Alegre, prompting authorities to issue warnings of further peril. Governor Leite has declared a state of emergency, acknowledging the severity of the disaster and the likelihood of the death toll rising further.

Forecasters have issued alerts as the main Guaiba river is expected to reach critical levels, exacerbating the crisis. Entire communities have been isolated, with infrastructure severely compromised. Authorities are urging residents to evacuate from high-risk areas and providing assistance to those affected by disruptions in essential services such as drinking water.

Source: Reuters

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