Storm affects half a million people in RS; government issues warning of ‘severe flooding’

More than half a million people were affected by the heavy rains that hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The updated Civil Defense bulletin, released at 6pm this Saturday, 4th, confirms the death of 55 people as a result of the storms. Another seven deaths remain under investigation. At the moment, 107 people are injured and 74 are missing.

At 7pm, Civil Defense also issued a severe flood warning for the Metropolitan Region. “Immediately evacuate risk areas, seek safe places. Seek information from your city’s Civil Defense regarding public shelters, escape routes and do not cross floods on foot or even by car. In case of emergency, call 190/193”, he reinforces, in a note.

Also according to updates from Rio Grande do Sul, of the 497 municipalities in the State, at least 317 suffered some consequence of the heavy rains, which began at the end of April. In total, there are 67 thousand people homeless and around 13 thousand are in shelters.

The Civil Defense of RS changed the way in which deaths were reported this afternoon. This Saturday morning, the official bulletin reported that 57 deaths had been recorded. The number has ‘reduced’ as deaths confirmed as a result of the storms and those still under investigation are now counted separately, so that the cause can be determined.

Check out the details of the updated bulletin in full:

Affected municipalities: 317

People in shelters: 13,324

Homeless: 69,242

Affected: 510,585

Injured: 107

Missing: 74

Confirmed deaths: 55

Deaths under investigation:7

Water rationing

Amid floods and blocked streets, the mayor of Porto Alegre, Sebastião Melo (MDB), asked the population to ration water from this Saturday, 4th. Four of the city’s six treatment plants are closed due to the heavy rains that hit Rio Grande do Sul.

Municipalities remain on alert for further damage, as well as the need for guidance for the population to leave areas considered at risk.

“The pumps, as the river is very high, cannot continue working, otherwise they will all burn out and it will take a long time to recover. I want to appeal to people to do very strong, very strong rationing in the city” , said the mayor, in an interview with RBS TV.

Earlier, a hole opened up on Avenida Castelo Branco, towards Litoral/Capital. As a result, the main access to Porto Alegre is blocked. The track gave way after the water that passes under the avenue, through a floodgate, washed away part of the asphalt.

Source: Redação Terra