Current:Home > ScamsFloods in southern Brazil kill at least 60, more than 100 missing-InfoLens
Floods in southern Brazil kill at least 60, more than 100 missing
View Date:2024-12-23 23:23:10
Massive floods in Brazil's southern Rio Grande do Sul state killed at least 60 people and another 101 were reported missing, according to Sunday's toll from local authorities.
At least 155 people were injured, while damage from the rains forced more than 80,000 people from their homes. Approximately 15,000 took refuge in schools, gymnasiums and other temporary shelters.
The floods left a wake of devastation, including landslides, washed-out roads and collapsed bridges across the state. Operators reported electricity and communications cuts. More than 800,000 people are without a water supply, according to the civil defense agency, which cited figures from water company Corsan.
On Saturday evening, residents in the town of Canoas stood up to their shoulders in muddy water and formed a human chain to pull boats carrying people to safety, according to video footage shared by local UOL news network.
The Guaiba river reached a record level of 5.33 metres (17.5 feet) on Sunday morning at 8 a.m. local time, surpassing levels seen during a historic 1941 deluge, when the river reached 4.76 metres.
"I repeat and insist: the devastation to which we are being subjected is unprecedented," State Gov. Eduardo Leite said on Sunday morning. He had previously said that the state will need a "kind of 'Marshall Plan' to be rebuilt."
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in Rio Grande do Sul on Sunday, accompanied by Defense Minister José Múcio, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad and Environment Minister Marina Silva, among others.
During Sunday mass at the Vatican, Pope Francis said he was praying for the state's population. "May the Lord welcome the dead and comfort their families and those who had to abandon their homes," he said.
The downpour started Monday and was expected to last through to Sunday. In some areas, such as valleys, mountain slopes and cities, more than 300 millimeters (11.8 inches) of rain fell in less than a week, according to Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology, known by the Portuguese acronym INMET, on Thursday.
The heavy rains were the fourth such environmental disaster in a year, following floods in July, September and November 2023 that killed 75 people in total.
Weather across South America is affected by the climate phenomenon El Niño, a periodic, naturally occurring event that warms surface waters in the Equatorial Pacific region. In Brazil, El Niño has historically caused droughts in the north and intense rainfall in the south.
This year, the impacts of El Niño have been particularly dramatic, with a historic drought in the Amazon. Scientists say extreme weather is happening more frequently due to human-caused climate change.
- In:
- Brazil
- Politics
- Flood
veryGood! (11353)
Related
- Will Trump curb transgender rights? After election, community prepares for worst
- A Hawaii refuge pond has turned eye-catching pink and scientists think they know why
- Peoria Book Rack is a true book lovers hub in Illinois: Here are the books they recommend
- 2024 Grammy nominations snub Pink, Sam Smith and K-pop. Who else got the cold shoulder?
- What do nails have to say about your health? Experts answer your FAQs.
- LeBron James scores 32 points, Lakers rally to beat Suns 122-119 to snap 3-game skid
- Actors back. Pandas gone. WeBankrupt.
- The man accused of attacking Nancy Pelosi’s husband was caught up in conspiracies, defense says
- 'Dangerous and unsanitary' conditions at Georgia jail violate Constitution, feds say
- Things to know about efforts to block people from crossing state lines for abortion
Ranking
- Manhattan rooftop fire sends plumes of dark smoke into skyline
- Some VA home loans offer zero down payment. Why don't more veterans know about them?
- Medical debt can damage your credit score. Here's what to know.
- Growing concerns from allies over Israel’s approach to fighting Hamas as civilian casualties mount
- John Krasinski Revealed as People's Sexiest Man Alive 2024
- Hidden demon face lurking in 1789 painting uncovered by restorers
- 100 cruise passengers injured, some flung to the floor and holding on for dear life as ship hits fierce storm on way to U.K.
- Jamie Lee Curtis Reunites With Lindsay Lohan to Tease the Ultimate Freaky Friday Sequel
Recommendation
-
Why Suits' Gabriel Macht Needed Time Away From Harvey Specter After Finale
-
Woman arrested after Veterans Memorial statue in South Carolina is destroyed, peed on: Police
-
Businessman allegedly stole nearly $8 million in COVID relief aid to buy a private island in Florida, oil fields in Texas
-
John Stamos talks joining the Beach Boys and being SO. HANDSOME.
-
Get well, Pop. The Spurs are in great hands until your return
-
JAY-Z and Gayle King: Brooklyn's Own prime-time special to feature never-before-seen interview highlights
-
Tensions running high at New England campuses over protests around Israel-Hamas war
-
2024 NFL draft first-round order: Bears, via Panthers, currently have No. 1 pick