The extreme rain that has been falling over Rio Grande do Sul in recent days leaves the state on high alert and causes historic flooding at the beginning of May 2024.
The Taquari River, an important waterway in the Vale do Taquari region, reached alarming levels, exceeding 30 meters in cities such as Estrela and Lajeado. This historic milestone surpasses records of a century and a half, standing out as one of the worst floods ever recorded in the area.
The sequence of satellite images shows the large number of heavy clouds (red spots) passing over Rio Grande do Sul, responsible for the heavy rain.
Storm clouds (red spots) pass over Rio Grande do Sul on 5/1/24
(Images: Goes 16 with colorization by Climatempo)
Rain volumes in 24 hours exceed the average for May
Volume of rain in Rio Grande do Sul in 24 hours, between midnight and midnight on 1/5/24, as measured by the National Institute of Meteorology
(in parentheses, approximate average precipitation for May)
Soledade: 215.8 mm (average: 153 mm)
Serafina Correa: 194.0 mm (average: 150 mm)
Bento Gonçalves: 178.4 mm (average: 144 mm)
Santa Maria: 160.8 mm (average: 137 mm)
Ibirubá: 148.2 mm (average 142 mm)
São Vicente do Sul: 129.0 mm (average: 119 mm)
Santiago: 118.2 mm (average: 127 mm)
Tupaciretã: 113.0 mm (average: 126 mm)
Shin: 101.8 mm (average: 142 mm)
Rain volume in Rio Grande do Sul in 24 hours, between 11pm on 4/30/24 and 11pm on 5/1/24, measured by Cemaden
Soledade: 240 mm
Xavier font: 235 mm
Serafina Corrêa: 181 mm
New Palm: 176.8 mm
Santa Maria: 174.8 mm
Faxinal Do Soturno: 172.6 mm
Caxias Do Sul: 163 mm
Venâncio Aires: 127.4 mm
Slab: 124.2 mm
Star: 114 mm
Cruzeiro Do Sul: 111.2 mm
Itati: 105.75 mm
Joyful: 102.6 mm
Dawn: 101.6 mm
Teutonia: 100.4 mm
Morrinhos Do Sul: 98 mm
São Francisco De Paula: 96 mm
Caçapava Do Sul: 91 mm
Red Alert: critical moment after events of 1941 and 2023
The red alert issued by the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul highlights the critical moment faced after similar events in 1941 and 2023. The heavy rains that hit the state in recent days contributed significantly to the sudden increase in the river’s volume, exceeding in an extraordinary way your flood quota.
Civil Defense guidelines: immediate action and solidarity
Faced with this emergency situation, the population of the municipalities of Santa Tereza, Muçum, Roca Sales, Arroio do Meio, Encantado and Lajeado receives express guidance from Civil Defense: leave risk areas immediately and seek public shelters or safe places to stay during the rise in the level of the Taquari River.
Community mobilization and support: search for safety and shelter
Action and solidarity become urgent at this moment. It is essential that residents who do not have alternative locations seek information from the Civil Defense of their cities about public shelters provided by city halls, escape routes and security points.
Faced with this critical situation, it is crucial that the population is united and prepared to face the challenges posed by this historic flood. Everyone’s solidarity and cooperation will be essential to mitigate the impacts and guarantee the safety and well-being of those affected by this natural calamity.
