A team of rescuers in the flooded neighborhood of Humaita, in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil, May 7, 2024. © Nelson Almeida, AFP
Efforts multiplied on Tuesday to aid the hundreds of thousands affected by floods in southern Brazil. The situation continues to worsen, with fears of more rain in the forecast. Emergency funds were released, Navy aircraft carriers dispatched, and food sent via a plane owned by Neymar. The floods, described as the worst climatic disaster in Rio Grande do Sul's history, have resulted in 95 fatalities, 131 missing persons, and 372 injuries, according to the latest Civil Defense report.
Governor Eduardo Leite cautioned about the possibility of heavy rainfall from Friday onwards, potentially exacerbating the flooding in already heavily impacted areas. In Porto Alegre and over 400 other locations, more than 159,000 individuals have been displaced due to rising waters caused by adverse weather conditions over the past week. Supplies and donations from across the country arrived in Porto Alegre, where the most immediate requirement is for drinking water, according to Sabrina Ribas from Civil Defense.
Drinking water has become scarce, with only two out of six water treatment plants operational. Hospitals and shelters are being supplied by tanker trucks, with the municipal authorities implementing water rationing. The situation is expected to persist, with no indication of a return to normalcy in the foreseeable future.
In Canoas, boats are ferrying residents to safety as part of an operation described as akin to a wartime scenario. The Navy is set to deploy the aircraft carrier "Atlantico," the largest military vessel in Latin America, equipped with two mobile sewage treatment plants, to the region on Wednesday.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced the release of emergency funds by the federal government for immediate assistance. Governor Leite also disclosed the allocation of 200 million reais (36 million euros) in emergency funds by the State of Rio Grande do Sul.
Approximately 15,000 soldiers, firefighters, police officers, and volunteers have been mobilized for rescue operations. Uruguay and Argentina have offered relief supplies and personnel assistance to Rio Grande do Sul.
Notable figures, including football star Neymar, have joined the relief efforts. Neymar arranged for a plane filled with food supplies, expressing his hope for a return to normalcy in an Instagram post featuring images of the cargo plane laden with food and water.
As scenes of devastation unfold, weather forecasts remain troubling. The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) has issued warnings of severe weather in southern areas of the state until Wednesday, with rainfall exceeding 100 mm anticipated. Additionally, rain is forecasted for central and northern regions, with conditions expected to deteriorate by the end of the week, accompanied by a drop in temperatures. The Guaiba River, traversing Porto Alegre and its vicinity, has reached historic levels, reaching 5.28 meters on Tuesday.
