Photos produced by the Sentinel 2 satellite reveal the contrast of the Porto Alegre metropolitan region before and after the storms that hit Rio Grande do Sul in recent days.
The first image captured on April 21, before the tragedy, transforms into the scene devastated by the floods seen in the second recording made this Monday (6), after the rainy season.
The capital of Rio Grande do Sul was invaded by the waters of Lake Guaíba, leaving some of the main roads in the historic center submerged, displacing displaced residents and affecting public services.
The municipality declared a state of public calamity on Thursday night (2), following the historic flood of Guaíba, which reached 5.3 meters, the highest level in its history.
According to state government estimates, Lake Guaíba should take more than 10 days to reach below the flood level of 3 meters. The forecast, therefore, will prolong the emergency in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul and in the other affected municipalities.
Due to the floods, four of the city’s six water treatment plants are closed. This Sunday (5), Mayor Sebastião Melo (MDB) said that 70% of the population of the capital of Rio Grande do Sul faces water shortages.
Melo asked residents of the capital of Rio Grande do Sul who have homes on the coast to leave the city for a few days to try to reduce water consumption.
See before and after Porto Alegre
First image shows Greater Porto Alegre on April 21st, before it rained; then, the same region this Monday (6), after the floods – Sentinel 2 satellite via the Copernicus system
The mayor also suspended classes in Porto Alegre for three days so that ambulances and vehicles involved in rescue and support operations can “have more freedom to work in the city.”
In addition to the islands, there are two parts of the city, according to Melo, that need extra care: the surroundings of Arena do Grêmio and the surroundings of the Fiergs region, where the dike was breached so as not to burst.
Area images show the Beira-Rio stadium and the Arena are flooded, completely taken over by water.
Salgado Filho international airport, in Porto Alegre, closed since Friday (3) due to the floods, has no forecast of when flights will resume, according to the responsible concessionaire. Airlines have suspended flights to the location until the end of the month.
In addition to isolation, residents of the capital report looting in markets, stores and pharmacies.
According to Porto Alegre City Hall, more than 9,000 are sheltered in 60 locations in the city. In addition to people from the capital, residents of Eldorado do Sul and other cities in the metropolitan region are welcomed in the city.
The forecast is that this week the temperature will drop in Rio Grande do Sul. A cold front is expected to arrive this Wednesday (8), and in some regions the thermometers may reach a minimum of 10°C. Low temperatures can make the scenario even more dramatic, especially for residents who are still awaiting rescue.
So far, the rains have left 85 dead and 339 injured in the state. There are still 134 missing.
Traveling to Rio Grande do Sul for the second time in a week, President Lula promised this Sunday, after flying over affected areas, the creation of a “climatic accident prevention plan”.
