In southern Brazil, a hydroelectric dam collapse occurred following days of heavy rains, leading to significant flooding that has killed over 30 people.
Officials report that around 60 individuals are still missing in Rio Grande do Sul state, where approximately 15,000 residents have evacuated since Saturday.
The disaster has left at least 500,000 people without access to essential services like power and clean water across the region.
The rupture of the dam caused a two-meter (6.6 feet) wave, exacerbating the already dire situation in flooded areas and triggering panic among locals.
The dam, situated between Cotiporã municipality and Bento Gonçalves city, suffered the impact of extreme weather characterized by hotter temperatures, high humidity, and strong winds—a rare combination contributing to the severity of the flooding.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva personally visited the affected region, pledging assistance from the central government.
State Governor Eduardo Leite also appealed for urgent aid, emphasizing the need to rescue hundreds of individuals in numerous municipalities.
Rescue efforts, including helicopter searches, have been mobilized, though some areas are too inundated for helicopters to land, necessitating residents to be airlifted to safety.
In Candelária municipality, residents sought refuge on their rooftops as floodwaters inundated their homes.
Meteorologists foresee additional rainfall due to a passing cold front, potentially worsening the situation.
Last year, a cyclone claimed over 30 lives in Rio Grande do Sul, with Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology linking the intensified and frequent rainfall to the El Niño climate phenomenon.
Source-BBC
