Salgado Filho International Airport, in Porto Alegre, was flooded this Saturday, 4th. The place was also hit by floods in Rio Grande do Sul, reported the Folha de S. Paulo. Water covered part of the runways and apron at the only airport in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul.
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The airport had already been closed for an indefinite period, on the night of Friday the 3rd. The waters of the Guaíba River had reached the taxiways and advanced towards the take-off and landing runway.
Fraport Brasilthe concessionaire that manages Salgado Filho, stated that the decision was taken due to the high volume of rain that has hit the State in recent days and to guarantee the safety of employees and passengers.
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“Passengers are asked to contact their airline for more information about their flights.”
Highest level in the history of the Guaíba River in Porto Alegre
At 9am this Saturday, the level of the Guaíba River reached 5.04 meters, according to information from the National Water Resources Information System (SNIRH), of the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency.
The local Civil Defense, during the early hours of the morning, had already reported that the river level had reached 4.96 meters.
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The mark surpassed that of the biggest flood ever recorded, in 1941, when the water rose 4.76 meters. Hundreds of families had to leave their homes and rescues continue to be carried out in the islands and the fourth district of the capital.
The images captured by drones and information from employees about the situation at Salgado Filho Airport are illustrative. They give a small dimension of the problems faced by the population of Rio Grande do Sul at the moment.
