Understand why the rain in RS did not reach SC with intensity

Porto Alegre was submerged due to heavy rain (Photo: Satellite Corpernicus)

The intense rains that have been plaguing Rio Grande do Sul since last week follow about the State and raise the question: why didn’t the system come to Santa Catarina? The answer lies in a phenomenon called atmospheric blocking.

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Meteorologist Gilsania Cruz, from Epagri/Ciram, explains that, due to the blockage, unstable weather systems, such as cold fronts, the trough and the low pressure area (which contribute to intense rain), are “trapped” over the Rio Grande do Sul.

Understand the causes of one of the worst climate tragedies in RS that leaves people dead and homeless

Between this Monday (6) and Tuesday (7), the instability was positioned closer to the border of Rio Grande do Sul and Uruguay, causing more rain in that region, further south of the State. This has caused more rain, for example, in Pelotas. The city advised that residents of the Laranjal resorts and areas close to the São Gonçalo canal be evacuated this Tuesday. There is a risk of flooding in Lagoa dos Patos and a warning for storms.

Is there rain forecast for Santa Catarina?

The meteorologist also states that there is no forecast of rain of the same intensity for Santa Catarina.

— What we have is the arrival of a cold front from the end of Wednesday, and with conditions for us to have rain […]but nothing to worry about at the moment.

River level rises and water invades bus stations, streets and CTs of Grêmio and Inter in Porto Alegre

The rainy condition in Santa Catarina may remain until at least Sunday (12), especially in the areas bordering Rio Grande do Sul. The meteorologist reassures again: nothing like what happened in Rio Grande do Sul.

Situation in RS

The number of people who died as a result of the floods that devastate Rio Grande do Sul rose to 95. According to the Civil Defense bulletin released at 6pm this Tuesday (7), there are still 131 missing and 372 injured.

In total, more than 1.4 million people were affected by the rains. Of these, 207.8 thousand people are away from home. Of the 497 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul, 401 reported problems related to the storm.

Four deaths are being investigated to find out if they are related to the rains. Furthermore, more than 206 thousand people remain without electricity in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

See photos

Corpernicus satellite shows Porto Alegre submerged due to heavy rains (Photo: Corpernicus Satellite)

Porto Alegre hit by rain, flooding a large part of the capital of Rio Grande do Sul (Photo: Gustavo Mansur, Palácio Piratini)

Rescue of people and animals by the Brazilian Navy (Photo: Brazilian Navy)

Fire Department action in the Mathias Velho neighborhood in Canoas (Photo: Gustavo Mansur, Palácio Piratini)

Navy soldiers take drinking water to homeless municipalities in Eldorado do Sul and Guaíba (Photo: Marinha do Brasil)

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