While cities in Southeast It is Midwest have been observing in recent days a noticeable rise in temperaturelocations in Southspecifically in Rio Grande do Sul, began to suffer the effects of intense storms, which until the night of this Tuesday, 30th, had left at least five dead. But are these climate events related?
According to the meteorology company Climatempo, yes, these are events that are connected. The hot air mass that established itself in the central part of the country, he explains, creates a kind of “prison” for rain in the southern states. This mass is retained due to a “persistent atmospheric blockage”. Thus, “cold fronts and other meteorological systems are amplified, resulting in an intensification of precipitation in the region”, as announced by the company in a note this Tuesday.
A large amount of lightning hit Rio Grande do Sul on Monday, 29th. More rain is expected in the coming days Photograph: Denis Goerl/Via MetSul
The forecast is for more rain for Rio Grande do Sul and part of Santa Catarina in the coming days. Some locations expect volumes that can exceed 300 millimeters and can even reach 400 mm.
“The situation of intense rains in southern Brazil demands attention and precaution. Constant monitoring of the meteorological situation and the adoption of safety measures are essential to mitigate the impacts of this phenomenon on the population and infrastructure of the region”, informed Climatempo.
Meanwhile, the heat wave initially predicted until this holiday Wednesday, 1st, should last at least until May 10th. The danger alert for high temperatures was issued by the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) a few days ago, starting on Saturday, the 27th.
According to Climatempo, the permanence of the high pressure system over the Brazilian Center-South makes it difficult for cold fronts to reach the Center-West and Southeast, contributing to the maintenance of dry air and an increase in heat intensity. “This is the fourth heat wave to hit Brazil recently, and it promises to intensify even further and act until May 10th,” he stated.
Governor of RS asks Lula for help
The government of Rio Grande do Sul has been mobilizing throughout the day to respond to emergencies arising from storms in the state. This Tuesday, governor Eduardo Leite (PSDB) met with the crisis cabinet and the management announced that the focus is on rescuing families isolated by floods.
Leite said he had contacted President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “I now spoke by phone with President Lula, who assured the support of the federal government. I specifically asked for aircraft support to rescue stranded people. Unfortunately, we already have deaths and there are still missing people. The immediate priority is to rescue displaced families, sending them to family homes or public shelters and providing adequate accommodation conditions”, declared the governor in a statement.
