Mato Grosso sends teams to assist with operations in Rio Grande do Sul

The Government of Mato Grosso sent teams from the Integrated Air Operations Center (Ciopaer) and the Military Fire Department to assist in response operations to the disasters that hit Rio Grande do Sul. The Ciopaer team was sent to the state this Friday afternoon -Friday (3).

“In this difficult time, we need to come together to help our brothers from Rio Grande do Sul. Not only because we are all Brazilians, but because we remember that Mato Grosso was built with the help of many gauchos who came here to build their lives and helped make this state what it is. We will continue to be available to do whatever is necessary to help the people of Rio Grande do Sul”, stated Governor Mauro Mendes.

The Ciopaer helicopter, two pilots and three crew members will act in the actions under the coordination of the Rio Grande do Sul aviation. These Ciopaer agents have extensive experience in searches, rescues and rescues throughout the state.

The Fire Department team has 11 soldiers from Cuiabá, Várzea Grande, Barra do Garças, Sorriso and Lucas do Rio Verde. There are divers and disaster operators on the team, as well as two sniffer dogs, Bela and Maya, who worked in the flood that hit Rio Grande do Sul in September 2023.

The forecast is that this team will leave Cuiabá on Saturday morning (4). “The military from Ciopaer and the Fire Department are going with all the necessary equipment and vehicles to provide support to the security forces and Civil Defense of Rio Grande Sul. This equipment helps in different types of scenarios, such as burial, drowning and rescue with dogs”, said the Secretary of Public Security, César Roveri.

Among the main equipment are: helicopter rescue basket, air cylinders, buoys, life jackets, saws, hoes, pickaxes, radios for communication and drones. The Fire Department also has four vehicles, a boat and a jet ski.

Disaster in RS

According to the latest update from the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul, there are 235 municipalities affected and 351.6 thousand people affected by the rains. More than 23,500 people are homeless, 7,900 are in shelters, 74 are injured and another 74 are missing. There are 37 deaths recorded in 22 cities.