Brasilia.-The rains once once more punished the city of Porto Alegre, in southern Brazil, which is partially flooded by the storms of the last week, and have forced the suspension of rescue efforts for isolated people.
The mayor’s office of the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul indicated that the arrival of a new storm front, with winds that are estimated to reach 90 kilometers per hour, led to the decision to interrupt the work of the teams searching rescue thousands of people who are still in risk areas.
The storms, which began more than a week ago, have already caused 100 deaths in Rio Grande do Sul and another death in the neighboring state of Santa Catarina, also affected by the phenomenon although with a lower intensity.
The balance adds that there are also 128 missing and 372 injured in Rio Grande do Sul, where 80% of the municipalities are totally or partially under water, and some 230,500 people have had to leave their homes.
The total number of victims of the climate disaster is around 1.5 million people, many of whom are waiting to be rescued from the most affected areas.
Thousands of homes and infrastructure, such as bridges or roads, were also destroyed, and the Porto Alegre airport has become an immense lagoon, which has forced it to completely interrupt its operations until the end of this month.
Likewise, agricultural production and all economic activity in one of the most prosperous states in Brazil have been damaged.
The authorities still do not know the cost of the reconstruction, since the true magnitude of the damage can only be calculated once the waters recede.
The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, lamented the serious flooding in Brazil and attributed them to the “devastating effects” of the climate crisis.
“The Secretary-General points out that disasters like this are a reminder of the devastating effects of the climate crisis on lives and livelihoods. (And) he reiterates his call for rapid international action to curb the chaotic effects of climate change,” stated Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary general.
The brief statement also indicates that Guterres is “deeply saddened” by the loss of life due to the damage caused by these heavy rains and floods.
“(António Guterres) Expresses his condolences and solidarity to the Government and people of Brazil, as well as to the families of the victims. The United Nations team on the ground is ready to help the people of Brazil in these difficult times,” the text completes.
The floods damaged at least 61,400 homes, of which 6,200 were completely destroyed, according to partial data released by the National Confederation of Municipalities.
The entity estimates the damage caused so far by the largest environmental tragedy recorded in Rio Grande do Sul, a state in southern Brazil bordering Argentina and Uruguay, at 6.4 billion reais (regarding 1.28 billion dollars or 1.191 million euros).
About half of these losses, some 3.4 billion reais, refer precisely to the damage suffered by homes.
The Confederation clarified that its balance includes the data communicated so far by the mayors but that these are partial figures, which are updated every day, and that more time will be necessary to account for all the losses.
He also clarified that not all mayors have communicated their data and that some face difficulties in doing so due to the damage suffered by infrastructure and communications systems.
According to the National Confederation of Municipalities, the activities most affected by the floods, which extend not only in the cities but also in large rural areas, are agriculture, with losses estimated at 594.6 million reais, and livestock (147 .7 million reais).Infobae.
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2024-05-13 00:38:19
