At least 64 municipalities in Maranhão are in an emergency situation because of the rains. The information is from the State Fire Department. More than 35,800 families were affected by the floods and at least 7,700 are homeless or displaced. Since March, six deaths have been registered because of the heavy rains, which do not stop.
Whole communities are isolated. Throughout the state, nine rivers, in addition to streams and dams, overflowed. One of the worst affected cities is Trizidela do Vale. The city hall anticipated the students’ holidays from July to April, because five schools are flooded and another seven are shelters at the moment.
The Maranhão Civil Defense is providing assistance to families, with the delivery of mattresses and food baskets. Firefighters and Civil Defense are also visiting the communities that live along the Itapecuru River, to provide assistance. The river level rose in several cities, such as Codó and Itapecuru Mirim.
The government of Maranhão created, since March, the Steering Committee for Prevention and Assistance to Victims of the Rains. Among the immediate actions are the distribution of 100,000 basic food baskets and fish to affected families in the Popular Restaurants network. Connectivity and document issuing kits were also provided, in addition to social rent for homeless families in 20 municipalities.
With the emergency decree, the federal government transferred R$ 3.8 million to aid municipalities. Pedreiras, Trizidela do Vale, Tuntum and São Luiz Gonzaga do Maranhão are among those that will receive money.
According to the National Institute of Meteorology, it will continue to rain during the weekend in much of Maranhão.
