Searches for gauchos missing due to excessive rain have the support of firefighters from Santa Catarina

The group has 28 specialists, divided into seven teams of four members. (Photo: Disclosure/CBM-SC)

The government of Santa Catarina sent to Rio Grande do Sul, in the last few hours, a group of 28 firefighters specialized in search and rescue operations in flood and flash flood scenarios. Divided into seven teams of four members, the professionals were given tasks such as helping their colleagues from Rio Grande do Sul in locating the missing, which numbered 21 in cities hit this week by excessive rain. Ten other people died.

According to the most recent statistical update, released by the state Civil Defense at 6pm this Wednesday (1st), the individuals not yet found reside in five cities: Candelária (8), Encantado (6), Roca Sales (4), São Vendelino (2) and Salvador do Sul (1). It is worth remembering that four people have remained in this situation since September last year, when storms followed by floods and other disturbances hit the State.

The same team was mobilized at the beginning of this month, due to the occurrence of storms in Greater Florianópolis and other regions of Santa Catarina. On that occasion, firefighters carried out assistance involving falling trees in homes or public roads and, above all, rescuing people stranded in difficult to access places.

Helicopters

In Rio Grande do Sul, two Brazilian Air Force (FAB) helicopters are already flying over the regions of Santa Cruz do Sul, Sinimbu and Candelária in search of victims. The Army Aviation Command detailed that the aircraft left Taubaté (SP) bound for Porto Alegre, transporting 16 soldiers, including members of the Army Aviation Search and Rescue group.

The mission is similar to the one delegated to firefighters in the neighboring state. Equipped with night vision goggles), the task force operates in search services not only during the mornings and afternoons, as the device expands the possibilities of taking advantage of night flights with low light, including landing in unprepared areas of the regulatory lighting point of view.

Specialists involved in the operations ask that people or groups in life-threatening situations use their cell phone flashlight or some other light device at night or early in the morning to signal their presence in the area where rescue aircraft pass.

In one of the support actions this Wednesday, FAB rescued a family in the city of Candelária that was isolated in a house at risk of collapsing. They were removed from the site using a special rope and transported to Santa Cruz do Sul.

(Marcello Campos)