The number of deaths due to heavy rains in Brazil increases to 57

Published at: 04/05/2024 07:36 PM

At least 57 people have died and another 67 were declared missing after the heavy floods caused by the intense rains that occurred in the southern part of the South American country, according to the most recent report of the Brazilian Civil Defense.

The agency reports more than 70 injured and more than 24,600 evacuated, while roads and communications remain interrupted in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, with about 300 locations affected since last Friday, May 3, the Telesur website reported.

The mayor of Porto Alegre, Sebastiao Melo, explained that the dam that dams the Gravataí River began to overflow once again and the inhabitants of the community must leave the place.

For its part, the Brazilian Government reported, on the social network X, about the rescue efforts carried out by the armed forces to locate the missing, “despite unfavorable weather conditions”.

As a result, Porto Alegre International Airport suspended its operations indefinitely. City authorities are building shelters in sports centers and other facilities, where they have evacuated more than 8,000 people.

Torrential rains also affect the State of Santa Catarina, where a citizen died when the current swept his car in the municipality of Ipira. This weather condition, of “very high severity”, is forecast until tomorrow, as reported by the Civil Defense.

In the midst of this context, the Deputy Governor of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Gabriel Souza, reported that people's access to affected areas hinders rescue efforts.

After describing the natural phenomenon as “the greatest tragedy in the history of RS”, he referred to the so-called “tragedy tourism”.

Mazo News Team