In the early evening of this Wednesday (1/5), Governor Eduardo Leite held a press conference at the state Civil Defense headquarters, in Porto Alegre, to provide updates on the situation in Rio Grande do Sul following the intense rains of week. According to the Situation Room report, areas that were already impacted during the emergency last September are at risk of being affected again, requiring the immediate evacuation of residents in at-risk areas.
During the meeting with the press, Leite highlighted the difficulties faced by the State’s rescue teams in carrying out operations, due to the adverse weather conditions that have persisted since the start of the rains on Monday (29/4). Therefore, the governor emphasized the urgent need for residents living in risk areas in municipalities affected by similar situations in 2023 to leave their homes and seek safe shelter.
“Unfortunately, the situation this year is expected to be worse than that of 2023. We will also see an increase in river levels due to the rain. So, it is crucial that people protect themselves and seek shelter in safe places, away from the danger of flooding. We also ask that you be careful with hillside locations, where there may be landslides due to waterlogging”, said Leite.
The governor also asked people not to expose themselves to risks by trying to access areas affected by the rains. Due to the serious situation, the state Civil Defense highlighted that it is very important for people to take the information given seriously, as the situation is expected to worsen even further in the coming days.
During the press conference, information was presented on the current rainfall situation and forecasts for the coming days. Following intense rainfall, particularly in the Central Region, as reported by the Situation Room, a significant increase in the volume of the Jacuí, Pardo, Taquari and Caí rivers has been observed. In the coming days, the North and Northeast regions of the State should also begin to suffer the consequences of the rains.
Leite also highlighted that the government activated the Crisis Office as soon as the situation began, establishing focal points in different regions affected by the intense rains. In this way, the State aims to maintain effective communication with the most vulnerable areas.
Locations with dams are also under alert. According to the report from the State Environmental Protection Foundation (Fepam), although there is no imminent risk of failure, these structures are being closely monitored, as they were not designed to regulate water flow and may not be able to withstand the resulting high volumes. the rains. Municipal Civil Defense authorities have already been alerted and dam emergency response plans have already been activated.
Municipalities that are expected to be most affected by floods
- Acute
- Cheerful
- Arroio do Meio
- Good principle
- Bom Retiro do Sul
- South Waterfall
- Good camp
- Candelaria
- Canudos do Vale
- Cerro Branco
- Hills
- Southern Cross
- Charmed
- Star
- Happy
- Forquetinha
- General Chamber
- Harmony
- Jaguari
- Lajeado
- Marques de Souza
- Montenegro
- Muslim
- New Cabrais
- New Hamburg
- Southern Paradise
- I looked new
- Parobé
- New Landing
- Lawn
- Restinga Sêca
- Rio Pardo
- Roca Sales
- Santa Cruz do Sul
- Santa Teresa
- Saint Jerome
- Sao Leopoldo
- São Sebastião do Caí
- São Sepé
- Sinimbu
- Taquara
- Taquari
- Pillow
- Triumph
- Sun Valley
- Royal Valley
- Venâncio Aires
- Vera Cruz
Dams in emergency situation
- UHE Castro Alves (Nova Roma do Sul)
- UHE Monte Claro (Bento Gonçalves)
- HPP 14 de Julho (Santa Tereza)
Can reach: Santa Tereza, Muçum, Roca Sales, Lajeado and Arroio do Meio - UHE Dona Francisca (Dona Francisca)
Can reach: Faxinal de Soturno, São João do Polêsine, Agudo, Paraíso do Sul, Restinga Seca, São Sepe, Formigueiro and Cachoeira do Sul - Toropi Complex
Can reach: São Pedro do Sul, Mata and Toropi - Putinga Dam
Text: Thales Moreira/Secom
Editing: Rodrigo Toledo França/Secom
