MAY 10: The southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has been almost entirely isolated from the rest of the country due to severe flooding that has destroyed roads and bridges and flooded airports.
Intense rainfall in southern Brazil has triggered devastating floods, resulting in the deaths of at least 100 people and rendering thousands homeless.
Last week’s heavy rains in Rio Grande do Sul led to extensive flooding that obliterated roads, brought down bridges, and triggered landslides throughout the area.
According to recent reports from the state’s civil defense authority, 372 people have been injured, and approximately 128 individuals remain missing. The floods have impacted over 1.45 million residents across 417 of the state’s 497 municipalities, displacing more than 200,000 people.
Transportation links are severely compromised, with many roads submerged and the main airport swamped by water, potentially shutting it down for up to 30 days.
Authorities have described the situation as the “worst natural disaster” in the state’s history. In Porto Alegre, the state capital, about 80% of the population is without drinking water as several water treatment facilities have ceased operations. Emergency water supplies are being distributed to hospitals and shelters, and water rationing is in place.
Additionally, the power supply has been disrupted, with electricity being cut off in several areas for safety reasons.
