Cyclone in Southern Brazil has wrought havoc, leading to extensive flooding in numerous cities and resulting in a tragic toll of at least 21 fatalities, with hundreds more forced to leave their homes.
Authorities in Rio Grande do Sul state reported the discovery of additional bodies as floodwaters gradually recede. Governor Eduardo Leite disclosed that approximately 60 cities bore the brunt of the storm.
Cyclone in Southern Brazil Details
Luana Da Luz, a resident of Passo Fundo, recounted their futile efforts to protect their home as she stated, “Since dawn, we saw that [the water] was going to flood [our house], and we were putting things on top of the table, on top of the wood stove, but it didn’t help.”
Estimates regarding the number of displaced individuals vary, with The Associated Press citing around 1,650 people and AFP reporting a higher figure of 3,700.
Furthermore, apart from the 21 casualties in Rio Grande do Sul, one fatality has been confirmed in the adjacent state of Santa Catarina as a result of cyclone in Southern Brazil.
Tuesday’s cyclone is the most recent addition to a series of severe weather incidents that have brought suffering to Brazil, highlighting the heightened risks of storms becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
In June, a cyclone in Southern Brazil resulted in 13 casualties and forced thousands from their homes. In February, torrential rainfall triggered landslides and flooding, leading to the loss of at least 65 lives in Sao Paulo state.
Governor Leite remarked that Monday’s flooding incident represents the state’s highest death toll ever stemming from a climate-related event. He pointed out that 15 of these reported deaths occurred in the city of Mucum, where social media videos depicted the town submerged in rising waters.
Mayor Mateus Trojan, speaking on Radio Gaucha, expressed concerns about missing individuals and the potential for the death toll to rise further due to cyclone in Southern Brazil, stating that “The town of Mucum as we knew it no longer exists.”
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva extended his condolences to the people of Rio Grande do Sul, acknowledging the heavy rains that had already claimed the lives of at least four individuals. He also mentioned that the head of civil defense was dispatched to the state to address the issues arising from the heavy rainfall, pledging full support for the affected population during this challenging period.