Brazil Flooding Death Toll Surpasses 100
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published May 09, 2024 | 09:10 AM
Porto Alegre, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th May, 2024) The death toll from devastating floods that have ravaged southern Brazil for days surpassed 100 on Wednesday, authorities said, as the search for dozens of missing people was interrupted by fresh storms.
Some 400 municipalities have been affected by the worst natural calamity ever to hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul, with hundreds of people injured and more than 160,000 forced from their homes.
Many have no access to drinking water or electricity -- or even the means to call for help, with telephone and internet services down in many places.
On Tuesday, state governor Eduardo Leite had warned the human toll was likely to rise as "the emergency is continuing to develop" in the state capital of Porto Alegre and other cities and towns.
Some 15,000 soldiers, firefighters, police and volunteers were at work across the state, many in boats and jet skis, to rescue those trapped and transport aid.
But in Porto Alegre the rains returned on Wednesday, halting evacuation efforts.
The mayor's office urged rescue boats to suspend their activities, citing the risk of electric shocks from lightning and strong winds of over 80 kilometers (50 miles) per hour.
Authorities urged people not to return to affected areas due to possible landslide and health hazards.
"Contaminated water can transmit diseases," civil defense spokeswoman Sabrina Ribas warned on Wednesday.
Many people have been loath to leave their homes for the safety of shelters amid reports of abandoned properties being looted.
The National Confederation of Municipalities said about 61,000 homes -- down from an earlier estimate of 100,000 -- had been damaged or destroyed by unprecedented rains and floods in the state, with losses estimated at about 6.3 billion reais (some $1.2 billion.)
Damage to schools, hospitals and municipal buildings amounted to about $69 million.
Porto Alegre is home to about 1.4 million people and the larger metropolitan area has more than double that number.
The state's Guaiba River, which runs through Porto Alegre, reached historic levels and five dams are at risk of rupturing, with two of them in "imminent" danger.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 20 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 20 May 2024
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 19 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 19 May 2024
Football: Scottish Premiership table
'Can I kill someone?': Richard Gere's dilemma in 'Oh, Canada'
UN agency says 800,000 'forced to flee' Rafah since start of Israeli operation
CM lays foundation stone of ‘Nawaz Sharif IT city’ in Lahore
PBF recommends to simplify tax system, make businesses easier
Election for PML-N president to be held on May 28
Three Syrians missing after cargo ship sinks off Romania
Georgia president vetoes controversial 'foreign influence' law
More Stories From World
-
Trump biopic hits Cannes Film Festival
27 minutes ago -
China to provide all necessary support, assistance for Iran's rescue efforts
27 minutes ago -
Uncertain future for thousands after deadly Brazil floods
38 minutes ago -
Blinken congratulates Taiwan's Lai on inauguration as president
58 minutes ago -
Pacers shoot down Knicks to reach NBA Eastern Conference finals
1 hour ago -
Deadly strikes hit Gaza as US envoy visits Israel
1 hour ago
-
UN Chief deplores mob attacks against Pakistani & other foreign students in Bishkek
2 hours ago -
Uncertain future for thousands after deadly Brazil floods
2 hours ago -
Spain recalls its ambassador to Argentina over 'insult'
8 hours ago -
Cannes film follows Egypt feminists on brink of adulthood
8 hours ago -
Saudi king treated for lung infection: statement
8 hours ago -
Saudi, Qatar offer Iran any help needed in Raisi helicopter search
10 hours ago