BRAZIL – Tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul: deaths caused by heavy rain exceed 66, the worst climate disaster in Rio Grande do Sul’s history.

The heavy rains that have been plaguing the state of Rio Grande do Sul resulted in a tragedy, with a total of 66 people killed, according to the most recent Civil Defense bulletin, released at 9am this Sunday. In addition, there are still six deaths under investigation and 155 individuals were injured, with 101 people still missing.

This climate disaster has already surpassed the last environmental catastrophe in the state, recorded in September 2023, when 54 people lost their lives due to the passage of an extratropical cyclone. Local authorities claim that the current scenario is the worst climate disaster in the history of Rio Grande do Sul.

The heavy rains also forced 95,700 people to abandon their homes, with a total of 80,500 displaced and 15,100 homeless. In the state, the rains affected a total of 707.1 thousand people, covering 66% of the municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul.

The situation is worsened by the fact that more than 420,000 points in the state remain without electricity, and 839,000 homes (equivalent to 27% of the total) without water supply. Additionally, state highways also suffered damage and blockages, with 113 sections on 61 highways experiencing total and partial blockages.

The capital Porto Alegre did not escape the impacts of the rains, with areas flooded due to the flood of Lake Guaíba, which reached the highest level recorded, exceeding five meters. The local city hall asked residents to ration water, due to the interruption of operation of four of the six treatment plants.

At this time, the most needed donations include new or good mattresses, bed and bath linen, blankets, drinking water, animal food and basic food baskets. The population’s solidarity and support are crucial to helping the victims of this tragedy and minimizing the impacts of the heavy rains that are ravaging Rio Grande do Sul.