With a new death confirmed, the death toll caused by floods in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has reached 149. The figure was published in the latest Civil Defense bulletin at around 6:30 pm on Tuesday (14).
The bulletin also showed an increase in the number of people in shelters, from 76,884 to 79,494, while displaced people (people staying with relatives or friends) fell from 538,545 to 538,245.
The number of missing people (124), injured people (806), rescued people (76,483) and rescued animals (11,002) remained the same as that recorded on Monday (13). Nor has the number of cities and towns affected changed, remaining at 446 out of the 497 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul.
The latest data also shows a rise in the Guaíba's water level, which has already reached 5.23 meters. The flood level in the historic center of Porto Alegre, the state’s capital city, is 3 meters. The other rivers monitored have presented stable or falling water levels.
The state remains on alert given the weather forecasts. According to the National Meteorological Institute (Inmet, in Portuguese), heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and wind gusts could hit the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul from Friday (17).
Lula returns to the state
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Workers’ Party, also known as PT in Portuguese) will return to Rio Grande do Sul on Wednesday (15). Once there, he will announce new measures to support Rio Grande do Sul's population. It is expected that temporary financial aid will be created for those affected by the climate catastrophe. The amount has not been announced.
In addition, the federal government will appoint a representative to work permanently in the state for the duration of the public calamity situation. Rio Grande do Sul has been coping with floods since April 29. The idea is for the authority to coordinate an administrative structure for federal actions in the region.
