The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite, declared this Wednesday (1st) that the heavy rains that hit the state will characterize “the biggest disaster ever faced” by the people of Rio Grande do Sul. “We are living in a very critical moment in the state,” said Leite.
He highlighted that there is already a difference between the rains that hit cities in Rio Grande do Sul this year and those that hit several cities in southern Brazil in 2023.
“The difference from what happened last year is that, at a critical moment, in the Taquari valley, we had a flood, but then the weather allowed us to enter the field to provide assistance, rescue, and save hundreds of lives in those conditions. . Currently, we are having a lot of difficulties getting teams into the field, whether from the Army, the Military Brigade, or the Fire Department, we are having a lot of difficulties carrying out rescues.”
About the deaths, which are 10 so far Eduardo Leite highlights that “it tends to increase a lot”.
The rains that hit Rio Grande do Sul are expected to continue this Thursday (2), with a warning for storms in cities already affected by flooding.
Federal government aid
Leite informed that he spoke again with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and that he will visit Rio Grande do Sul this Thursday (2).
I spoke to the president again recently @LulaOficial and I reported that we are experiencing a war situation in Rio Grande do Sul. The president expressed his intention to come to the State tomorrow, a gesture that is very welcome at this time of difficulty.
— Eduardo Leite (@EduardoLeite_) May 1, 2024
Leite asked for help from the Armed Forces with the rescues. “I reinforced that we need the effective and full participation of the Armed Forces in coordinating this moment, which is like a war. We don’t have an enemy to fight, but we have many obstacles to overcome and we need the Armed Forces to act.”
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Rain numbers
Balance released by the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul late this Wednesday afternoon (1st) reveals that 114 cities in Rio Grande do Sul were hit by the heavy rains that have been affecting the state since Monday (29). At least ten deaths have been confirmed. Another 11 people are injured.
In total, 19,110 people were affected in Rio Grande do Sul by events such as floods, landslides, river overflows and landslides. The latest balance shows that 3,416 individuals are homeless and 1,072 are in shelters.
Of the total of ten deaths, two occurred in Paverama and two in Salvador do Sul. The other municipalities that recorded fatal victims were Pântano Grande, Itaara, Encantado, Segredo, Santa Maria and Santa Cruz do Sul.
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Source: CNN Brasil
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