The number of municipalities in Santa Catarina that are in an emergency situation increased to 22 due to the rains that have devastated the state since the beginning of the week. The number of municipalities that recorded events ranging from flooding and landslides to falling trees and walls also increased to 121.
So far, three deaths have been confirmed as a result of the heavy rain: two in the municipality of São Joaquim and one in the municipality of Urubici. According to the state Civil Defense, the three deaths were of “people who tried to pass through flooded areas with vehicles that were dragged by the current”.
The rains left 7,100 people homeless and 518 homeless. In a statement, the government of Santa Catarina says it has distributed “humanitarian assistance items, including basic food baskets, drinking water, mattresses, personal hygiene and cleaning kits”, and that teams have been sent to the impacted places to support the actions of the city halls.
The 22 municipalities that declared an emergency are: Tubarão, Orleans, Forquilhinha, Urubici, Maracajá, Araranguá, São Joaquim, Lages, Laurentino, Alfredo Wagner, Rio Rufino, Taió, Anitápolis, Monte Carlo, Videira, Macieira, Rio das Antas, Tangará, Rio do Oeste, Anitápolis, Alfredo Wagner and Lauro Muller.
“The municipalities of Benedito Novo and São Domingos informed that they must declare an emergency situation”, anticipated the Civil Defense.
suspended classes
Faced with the situation, the State Education Department has suspended classes in 152 schools since Wednesday (4), on the grounds that students’ mobility was unfeasible due to the rains.
“The suspensions affect schools of the regional education coordinators of Araranguá, Criciúma, Florianópolis, Ibirama, Laguna, Rio do Sul, Taió and Tubarão. The replacement of classes is guaranteed to comply with the 200 school days provided for by law.
