May 19, 2024, 9:45 AM
May 19, 2024, 9:45 AM
The Brazilian authorities have so far rescued 82,666 people and 12,215 animals after the serious floods that have devastated the southern region of the country, as reported this Saturday (05/18/2024) by the Civil Defense.
According to the latest balance of victims, 156 deaths have been recorded so far, one more compared to May 17, and 806 people injured, while the number of missing people fell to 94, four less than the day before.
Floods, torrential rains and landslides have wreaked havoc on 90% of the municipalities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, a major agricultural and industrial region in southern Brazil with a population of 11 million.
There are still entire neighborhoods in some cities in Rio Grande do Sul, the state hardest hit by the climate tragedy, that are still flooded by water two weeks after an unprecedented storm that lasted for several days. There are 2.3 million people affected in this region bordering Uruguay and Argentina, of which some 620,000 had to leave their homes and go to shelters or the homes of their relatives.
The Government of Rio Grande do Sul announced on May 17 the construction of four “temporary cities” in Porto Alegre, Canoas, São Leopoldo and Guaíba to house the thousands of affected people.
Porto Alegre, the regional capital, remains partially flooded, with its international airport out of service at least until September and the historic center flooded, although in recent days the level of the river that bathes the city has begun to drop, giving a respite. to its inhabitants.
Since the beginning of the disaster, the Administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has announced a broad economic aid package, which includes subsidies, loans on favorable conditions and the forgiveness of Rio Grande do Sul’s debt with the Treasury for the next three years.
