At least 39 people have died as heavy rains hit Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. 68 people are still missing. The death toll is expected to rise further.
The local civil defense authority reported this information on Friday (May 3) local time. Earlier, the state has been receiving heavy rain since last Monday.
According to the Civil Defense Authority, 497 cities in the state have been affected by the storm. In addition to death and disappearances, at least 24,000 people have been displaced in these cities.
State Governor Eduardo Leite, fearing an increase in the number of deaths, told reporters, “We will be able to reach many more affected areas in the next few days.” Then the number of deaths may change. ‘
The rain has flooded streets in several cities along the Rio Grande do Sul. Several roads and bridges have been severely damaged. Apart from this, landslides occurred due to the storm. A local hydroelectric dam has partially collapsed. Another reservoir is also in danger of collapsing. People have been instructed to evacuate safely from there.
Meanwhile, due to heavy rains, the banks of the Guaiba River, which flows over the state capital Porto Alegre, have been breached. The roads of the city have been submerged by the overflowing water of the river. The rescuers are facing obstacles in entering the city center.