Reopening of section of BR-116 allows aid to be delivered by land to residents of Eldorado do Sul (RS) | National Newspaper

Section of BR-116 is opened and residents of Eldorado do Sul begin to receive help

On the ground, the reopening of a section of BR-116 allowed residents of Eldorado do Sul receive more help.

The convoy with the Army field hospital left Porto Alegre early. It came from Rio de Janeiro and is very similar to another one from the Navy, which starts operating this Thursday (9) in Guaíba, in the Metropolitan Region. The Army soldiers had been waiting for two days for a chance to reach Eldorado do Sul, also in the Metropolitan Region, isolated by the flood.

This Wednesday (8), the trucks crossed a bridge on BR-116, which had been destroyed since May 1st. The Army soldiers, with the help of Denit, rebuilt the passage with tons of stones. A relief for the city that is entirely underwater.

The opening of this section of BR-116 at this time was important because many people on one side of Eldorado do Sul need help and the weather is changing. The forecast is for rain. A technician has already appeared and improvised an internet network for the homeless. The dog rescue team also managed to get through.

“There are still several animals in the houses, on the roof…. Some wild ones that won’t let them catch them. We brought what we could,” says businessman Fabiano da Rosa.

“People were asking for help and we couldn’t get access. Water was still up to the ceiling”, says businessman Rafael Scheffer.

This Wednesday (8), dozens of animals were saved.

“I didn’t think I would be able to find them alive, because the water covered the second floor, which is where they were. I thought they were all going to die. They are all alive”, says security guard Daiane Pereira.

Joy in a place, tension in the flooded forest. Ana Julia is among the branches, asking for help. She was saved by a boatman who was nearby.

“I wanted to get a tarp from my house to cover my tent, because it’s going to rain, there’s going to be storms again. Dangerous. I took a risk,” says cook Ana Julia de Freitas.

Opening the road, for now only for relief and evacuation of people, could also help cook Sandra Ludvig. She has been living on the side of the road for eight days with what she receives as donations. She fears the return of the rain.

“I don’t know what will happen to us. The wind will lift everything. A lot of suffering. Of course it’s not just me. It’s the whole of Rio Grande do Sul, it’s not just me. But it’s difficult”, laments cook Sandra Ludvig.