Heavy rainfall persists across southern Brazil, crippling the state of Rio Grande do Sul with surging rivers that have engulfed entire towns, obliterated roads and bridges, and left thousands homeless. As rescue efforts continue, the number of fatalities stands at 90, with 131 still unaccounted for and a staggering 155,000 displaced.
Civil defense agencies have issued a state of emergency for 397 of Rio Grande do Sul’s 497 cities, as the deluge wreaks havoc on the region. Visuals of before and after illustrate the devastating impact of the floods, with roads reduced to rivers and buildings submerged in murky waters. The once-pristine Taquari River has burst its banks, inundating surrounding areas, including the highway 386 bridge in Estrela.
Porto Alegre, the state capital, is among the hardest-hit cities, with reports of entire neighborhoods and homes destroyed. The Grêmio Arena, a prominent sporting venue, has been submerged, as seen in striking photography taken by Maxar Technologies/AAP. Similar scenes unfold across the region, as residents struggle to cope with the loss and displacement.
Floodwaters Swell through Rio Grande do Sul’s Small Towns and Cities4In an effort to grasp the full extent of the disaster, satellite images from Copernicus Sentinel-2 and EU, released through Reuters, provide a panoramic view of the devastation. A broad area along the Jacuí River, in Rio Grande Do Sul, is pictured, with roads and buildings submerged beneath a sea of floodwaters.
Local authorities have deemed it essential to declare a state of emergency, as rescue teams work tirelessly to reach stranded residents and deliver aid to those in dire need. The official death toll has risen to 90, with 131 still missing, as massive efforts are underway to restore normalcy to the affected regions.
As the region reels from the consequences of these downpours, international assistance has begun pouring in, with neighboring countries and global aid organizations offering support and resources to aid in the recovery efforts.