The bulletin released by the Civil Defense of the State of Rio Grande do Sul updated this Friday morning (3) confirmed 31 people dead, 56 injured and 74 missing across the state, due to the heavy rains that hit the region since the last Tuesday 30. There are still 7,165 people in shelters and another 17,087 homeless, in 235 affected municipalities.
The Federal Highway Police also reported that to date, there are 53 sections of federal highways in the state with closures, 39 total and 14 partial. Some were closed due to falling barriers, collapses, erosion and accumulation of water and others were carried out preventively due to cracks in the road or bridge covered by river waters.
Armed forces
The Ministry of Defense determined, this Friday (3), the establishment of an operational command of the Armed Forces to act in logistical support for the protection and Civil Defense actions of the municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul affected by intense rains. Guidelines similar to those established in the region in September 2023 have been established.
According to an ordinance published this Friday in the Official Gazette of the Union, the military must activate the Taquari 2 Joint Operational Command, which must be instructed by the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Richard Nunes. Since last Wednesday, 626 military personnel had already been deployed to the region to support the victims.
45 vehicles, 12 vessels and eight aircraft were also mobilized, in addition to engineering equipment for transporting material and personnel. A field hospital is being set up in the municipality of Lajeado with an infirmary structure, 40 beds, two medical care offices and a triage office.
The guidelines for operational command were established after the recognition of the state of public calamity throughout the state of Rio Grande do Sul by the National Civil Defense.
