More than half a million people have already suffered the consequences of the heavy rains that hit the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, where the storms have given rise to the “biggest disaster” that the region has had to face.
Specifically, the inclement weather has affected 510,585 Brazilian citizens, in at least 317 of the 497 municipalities of the state in question, where Civil Defense has confirmed the death of at least 55 people and continues to investigate another seven, according to the Brazilian Agency.
Likewise, according to the latest report issued, the number of injured has risen to 107 while the number of missing people stands at 74. In addition, it is estimated that some 69,000 have been left homeless throughout the state and that at least 13,000 are in shelters.
The rains have also altered the electricity supply in 418,200 points and have left more than one million homes without running water, 34 percent of the total, according to data from the Riograndense Sanitation Company collected by the same media.
Thus, the authorities of Rio Grande do Sul spoke this Saturday of the need to implement an initiative similar to the ‘Marshall Plan’ to launch the reconstruction of the Brazilian state.
Unlike the 2023 storm, when the rains were concentrated in just a few areas of this same region, this time they have affected the entire territory.
In this context, the central government has recognized the state of calamity decreed by local authorities, so it will be able to have access to a greater source of resources with a view to providing those affected with humanitarian assistance, as well as for the reconstruction of infrastructure and other essential services.
The central region of Porto Alegre, the capital, is protected by a system of dikes and floodgates built after heavy rains that fell eight decades ago. However, there are several cities, such as Barra del Ribeiro, Eldorado del Sur and Guaíba, that will be affected by the expected floods.
