Brazilian authorities have so far rescued 82,666 people and 12,215 animals, after the serious floods that devastated the southern region of the country, the local Civil Defense reported this Saturday.
According to the latest report, 156 people died (one more than the previous record, published on Friday) and 806 were injured in the climate tragedy that began in late April.
The number of missing people was reduced to 94, four fewer than announced on Friday.
The unprecedented storm, which lasted for several days causing flooding and landslides, caused damage in 90% of the municipalities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the most affected region, which borders Argentina and Uruguay.
Two weeks after the start of the rains, the waters began to recede, but Porto Alegre, the regional capital, remains partially flooded and without a functional airport.
In the important agricultural and industrial region of southern Brazil, with around eleven million inhabitants, there are still entire neighborhoods flooded, and the government of Rio Grande do Sul announced the construction of four “temporary cities” in Porto Alegre, Canoas, São Leopoldo and Guaíba, to receive those affected.
Currently, more than 78 thousand people are in temporary shelters.
This weekend, the arrival of a new cold front is expected in southern Brazil, accompanied by rains that could affect rescue operations.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva created an extraordinary ministry to coordinate the reconstruction of the region and announced several financial aid packages, including direct subsidies, loans at advantageous rates and the deferral of payment of Rio Grande do debts. Sul to the central government.
Source: Observadora
