Satellite images show the extent of flooding in Rio Grande do Sul; see photos

Satellite images show the extent of the damage caused by storms in Rio Grande do Sul. In Porto Alegre, the Guaíba river is almost 5.3 meters above normal. This is considered the highest level ever recorded. The floods of recent days surpassed the 1941 mark, becoming the biggest flood in the city’s history.

See before and after images of the capital of Rio Grande do Sul:

The original course of the rivers in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre is represented in blue. All the brown water is the result of floods.

Reproduction/Copernicus Browser

Aerial image of Porto Alegre after the floods

Reproduction/Copernicus Browser

Storm in RS

The regions most affected by the rains in RS are: Central, Vale do Rio Pardo, Metropolitana, Serra Gaúcha and Vale do Taquari. Almost 1 million people are without water and 424,000 without electricity.

Rio Grande do Sul decreed state of public calamity in 336 cities. According to Civil Defense, the heavy rains that have hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul since Monday (29) have already affected more than 1.4 million people. According to the most up-to-date data, there are 95 dead, 131 missing, 372 injured and 159,036 displaced. There are 48,799 people in shelters across the state.

A Brazil’s navy sent teams, vessels, aircraft and vehicles to help with the rescue. A Brazilian air force sent two helicopters to rescue victims in cities isolated because of highway closures, such as Candelariafor example.

This Tuesday (7), the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite (PSDB-RS), announced that the state government will transfer R$200 million to affected municipalities by the rains. According to the project, R$70 million will initially be allocated to municipalities, the equivalent of R$200,000 for each affected city. Leite stated that all municipalities that declare a state of emergency will be covered.

How to help?

According to authorities, homeless and displaced people who were welcomed by Civil Defense need not only food, but also mattresses, bed and bath linen and blankets. Anyone who lives in the Porto Alegre region can contribute in person at the State Civil Defense Logistics Center (Avenida Joaquim Porto Villanova, 101, Jardim Carvalho neighborhood, Porto Alegre).

In addition to receiving donations of various items, authorities allow donations of any type of cash value. To allow people from other cities and states to collaborate, the State Government created a Pix key to receive donations. Anyone who wants to contribute, You can make a Pix for CNPJ 92958800000138.

In addition to the organ, other institutions created donation campaignssuch as the Central Única das Favelas (CUFA), the Post Office, the Red Cross, Pampulha Airport, in Belo Horizonte, and Servas BH.