RIO GRANDE DO SUL, BR – Unrelenting downpours in Brazil’s southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul, have led to the tragic loss of 31 lives, with officials warning that the death count may continue to rise. The relentless rainfall has left more than 70 individuals unaccounted for and forced approximately 17,000 people to abandon their homes.
The state’s civil defense unit has reported that the deluge has impacted nearly half of the state’s 497 municipalities. The torrential rains have transformed streets into rivers, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads and bridges. The storm has also triggered landslides and led to the partial collapse of a dam at a small hydroelectric power plant.
Adding to the concerns, a second dam in the city of Bento Goncalves is teetering on the brink of failure, prompting officials to order evacuations of nearby residents.
The severity of the situation was underscored by Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite during a live social media broadcast. He described the current crisis as “probably the most critical case the state has ever recorded,” and expressed concern that the death toll could rise further due to inaccessible areas.
In response to the crisis, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the impacted areas on Thursday, discussing rescue strategies with the governor.