The recent devastating floods in Brazil have left a trail of destruction, with over 150,000 people left homeless and scores dead or missing. The scenes of desperation as rescuers work tirelessly to save those trapped in the rising waters are heart-wrenching. The floodwaters have engulfed entire communities, leaving behind a landscape of devastation and despair.
The impact of these floods goes beyond just the immediate loss of life and property. The long-term effects on the affected communities will be felt for years to come. Rebuilding homes, businesses, and infrastructure will take time and resources that many may not have.
Efforts were continuing to rescue people stranded by the floods in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, as more rains were forecast for the region into next week. The capital, Porto Alegre, has been virtually cut off, with the airport and bus station closed and main roads blocked because of the floodwaters.
The floods in Brazil are among extreme weather events being seen around the world.
Yoga teacher Maria Vitória Jorge's apartment building in downtown Porto Alegre is flooded, so she's leaving it behind, having withdrawn about 8,000 reais ($1,600) from her savings to rent an apartment for herself and her parents elsewhere in the state.
The heavy rains that began last week have caused rivers to flood, inundating whole towns and destroying roads and bridges.
Rain is forecast to let up on Thursday but then continue through the weekend.
Climate experts attributed the extreme rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul to the confluence of a heatwave caused by this year's El Niño phenomenon, which warms the waters of the Pacific and brings rain to southern Brazil; a weaker cold front with rain and gales coming from the Antarctic; and unusual warmth in the Atlantic also raising humidity.
Security is another concern. Rio Grande do Sul’s public security secretariat said in a statement that police will beef up operations to prevent looting and theft. Several volunteers working on rescue operations have been robbed as they tried to help in the Porto Alegre metropolitan region.
Also on Monday, three top-tier Rio Grande do Sul state soccer clubs whose stadiums are flooded urged Brazil’s soccer federation to suspend their national league matches for the next 20 days because of the flooding. Brazil’s soccer confederation said it would consider the request.
The flood disaster is also likely to affect the South American country's food supplies. Rio Grande do Sul produces 70% of an basic Brazilian foodstuff: rice.
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