The death toll in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to 78. More than half a hundred people are still missing. The death toll is expected to rise further. Besides, more than 1 lakh 15 thousand people have been displaced.
The death toll could still rise, as 105 people were reported missing on Sunday (May 5). Which was about 70 people the previous day.
More than two-thirds of the cities in the nearly 500 states bordering Uruguay and Argentina have been affected by flooding in recent days of storms and rain.
Roads and bridges in several cities were damaged by the floods. Heavy rains caused landslides at a small hydroelectric plant and a partial collapse of a dam. As a result, more than 400,000 people in Rio Grande do Sul were left without electricity on Sunday evening. In addition, about one third of the total population is affected by the scarcity of fresh water.
According to Brazil’s National Geological Service, Lake Guaiba and its banks breached, mainly in Porto Alegre, causing flood water levels to rise significantly. Volunteers assisted in ongoing rescue efforts by boating, jet skiing, and even swimming.
Kylie Moraes, a resident of the town of Canos, near Porto Alegre, said the floodwaters reached almost the second floor of her house. She was forced to take shelter on the roof of the house with her three children and husband. He has not seen such a flood in the region in the last 52 years.
This is not the first such natural disaster in Brazil. In the last four months of this year, there have been at least four flood-like disasters. Earlier, at least 75 people died in such floods in July, September and November last year.
