The mayor of Eldorado do Sul, Ernani de Freitas, reported this Tuesday morning that the city, the most affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul, will have to be completely evacuated. The population of the municipality is around 40 thousand.
“Unfortunately we will have to completely evacuate the city. Eldorado do Sul is covered by water, there is no electricity and we will only need to leave here the people who will be responsible for the aftermath of the flood, of course, after the water subsides”, he explained in an interview with Radio Guaíba.
The vice-mayor, Ricardo Alves, emphasizes that the evacuation alert is a guideline, not an order and is also not a reason to create panic. “Our concern is regarding supplies, health care for the population in the coming days and the safety of the community, which is already suffering and being victimized by the commission of crimes. I am really disappointed with the wave of violence in such a vulnerable situation.” According to Alves, the evacuation guidance is to reduce the risk of lack of assistance for those who still need it.
Rescues
The mayor explained that there are still people who need to be rescued in Eldorado do Sul. “We have people who are on the second floor of some houses. They need to get out of there because there is no way to stay. We are rescuing people and taking them to a family member’s house in neighboring municipalities,” he said.
According to Freitas, only a few people who live in the interior of Eldorado do Sul were not affected by the flood. “We are organizing everything and directing people to other municipalities. I know that help is coming from even Minas Gerais to help us,” he added.
BR 116 has served as a shelter for residents of Eldorado do Sul
| Photo: Ricardo Giusti
Freitas estimates that the city will need a year or two to recover from the disaster. “We didn’t have a pharmacy or a business that wasn’t looted. We had hungry people who looted markets to be able to feed themselves,” he described.
Shelter in Guaíba and Porto Alegre
The mayor explained that, initially, the residents of Eldorado do Sul are heading to Guaíba. Porto Alegre has also helped welcome homeless people in the city. “We received a lot of help from Mayor (Sebastião) Melo, but it must be said that the water that is receding here is going to Porto Alegre, so he will need to take care of his people too”, he commented before saying that the Capital housed around of 400 people from Eldorado do Sul.
The gradual return of residents of Eldorado do Sul will only occur after the city has been cleaned and electricity is restored. “We also want to ensure that people return home and also have food,” he added.
