Heavy rains in Brazil's southern Rio Grande do Sul state have led to 29 deaths and 60 people missing, with more than 10,000 forced from their homes. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the state to offer support as floods, landslides, and collapsed infrastructure wreak havoc. The extreme weather is exacerbated by the El Nino climate phenomenon, historically causing droughts in the north and intense rainfall in the south, with this year's impacts particularly severe.
Heavy rains in Brazil over the weekend have resulted in the deaths of at least 23 people in the southeastern states of Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo. Fifteen people died in Espirito Santos, with almost 5,000 people displaced from their homes, while Rio reported eight deaths. Rescue operations were stopped temporarily due to the risk of landslides, with efforts resuming later. The extreme weather conditions have been linked to climate change, with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressing sympathy for the victims and emphasizing the government's efforts to address the aftermath.
Storms and heavy rains in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo in southeastern Brazil have resulted in the deaths of at least 25 people, with 17 fatalities in Espirito Santo and eight in Rio de Janeiro. Rescuers are facing a chaotic situation with flooding causing widespread damage, leading to the evacuation of over 5,200 people. The extreme weather events are attributed to climate change, with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pledging government support for recovery efforts.
Deadly storms and flooding in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul have resulted in at least six deaths and over a dozen people missing. Helicopters are conducting search and rescue operations, with some areas too severe for safe landings. Governor Eduardo Leite requested federal assistance, and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pledged support attributing the situation to climate change. The intense rainfall has led to casualties, collapsed bridges, and impassable streets, with further rains predicted due to the weather phenomenon El Nino.
More than 120 people, including 50 from a dam burst, have died in Nairobi due to six weeks of continuous rainfall blamed on the El Nino weather phenomenon The city's poor drainage system, rapid urban development, and lack of infrastructure have exacerbated the flooding, with open sewers in slum areas and blocked drains causing overflow Roads have turned into waterways, highlighting issues in the city's growth and planning
Flooding and heavy rains in Kenya have resulted in the deaths of at least 70 people since mid-March, with over 120,000 individuals displaced, 22 injured, and 8 missing. The Kenyan government has allocated 3.3 billion Kenyan shillings ($24.5 million) for emergency response efforts. Additionally, neighboring countries in East Africa, such as Tanzania and Burundi, have also experienced severe flooding and landslides, with fatalities reported, affecting over 200,000 people in total. The flooding has been exacerbated by the El Nino weather pattern, impacting various regions and infrastructure.
Bogota's Mayor introduced new water-saving initiatives due to an El Nino-induced drought affecting the city's water supply. Measures include fines for excessive water use, reduced bus washing frequency, and a city-wide water rationing system. The Chingaza Reservoir, Bogota's main water source, is critically low at 15% capacity, prompting urgent conservation efforts.
A dam burst in southern Kenya has resulted in at least 35 deaths and numerous individuals missing, triggering a search and rescue operation amidst ongoing heavy rains and flash floods. The flooding in Kenya has already claimed the lives of 103 people since March, with thousands evacuated from their homes. Rescue teams are facing challenges reaching affected areas like Mai Mahiu due to cut-off roads, with reports of floodwaters sweeping away people and homes. The country is experiencing a severe flood crisis exacerbated by El Nino and intensified rains, as stated by IFRC Secretary General and CEO Jagan Chapagain.
A fire broke out at a guesthouse for the homeless in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil, killing at least 10 people and leaving 13 others hospitalized, some critically. The cause of the fire is unknown, and it is unclear if the shelter was operating legally. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sent condolences, noting the guesthouse served vulnerable individuals. Porto Alegre Mayor declared three days of official mourning. This incident comes a decade after a deadly nightclub fire in the same state, where over 240 people perished.
The onset of the 2023–24 El Niño event was declared on 4 July 2023 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) It is estimated that the most significant meteorological effects will occur between November 2023 and April 2024 and their characteristics will be determined depending on each territory on the planet, within which droughts, heavy rains, wildfires, heat waves, tropical cyclones, flooding and changes in wind patterns. These events have already negatively affected the economic activities of agriculture and fishing, generating shortages and rising prices of food—especially rice, palm oil, sugar cane, soybeans and corn—and, therefore, an increase in food insecurity of the most vulnerable populations.Climate scientists say the 2023–24 El Niño event, exacerbated by the climate change crisis, will likely raise average global temperatures beyond the record set in 2016—during the 2014-2016 El Niño event—and will set new records for temperature in 2024, exceeding the 1.5 °C increase since pre-industrial times.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has reportedly blocked official remembrance events for the 60th anniversary of the 1964 military coup in Brazil, angering relatives of the victims. Activists had hoped for memorials to honor those killed, disappeared, or tortured during the 1964-85 regime. Lula's decision to avoid commemorations is seen as an attempt to appease military chiefs amid political tensions. This comes as senior military figures face allegations of conspiring against Lula after his 2022 election. Lula emphasized moving forward and downplayed the significance of the 1964 coup, causing distress to families of dictatorship victims.
Thousands of Indigenous people in Brazil marched in Brasilia, urging the government to recognize their lands and protect them from illegal mining. They opposed a proposed 950-kilometer rail project that could lead to deforestation. The rally marked the annual Free Land Indigenous Camp's 20th edition and criticized President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's administration for not adequately addressing Indigenous territories. Approximately 13% of Brazil's land comprises Indigenous territories, mostly located in the Amazon rainforest.
A deadly heatwave hit West Africa and the Sahel region, with Mali experiencing temperatures above 48C in April, leading to hundreds of deaths. Researchers attribute the extreme heat to human activities like burning fossil fuels, making temperatures 1.4C hotter than normal. The heatwave, lasting five days, was intensified by climate change, with night temperatures 2C above average. Meanwhile, a severe drought in Southern Africa earlier this year was primarily due to the El Nino phenomenon, not climate change. Experts warn that with global warming, heatwaves like this may become more common in the future.
A recent study by scientists revealed that the low rainfall causing shipping disruption at the Panama Canal was driven by the climate phenomenon El Nino, not climate change, as previously thought.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Minister of Indigenous Peoples Sonia Guajajara participated in the closing ceremony of the 1st Ordinary Meeting of the National Council for Indigenous Policy in Brasilia on April 18, 2024. The Council, which was dissolved in 2019, was revived in 2023, marking a significant step in indigenous policy in Brazil.
Officials are warning of a potentially hotter-than-normal summer in the U.S. due to the transition from El Nino to La Nina, with above-normal temperatures predicted for most of the country. La Nina is expected to bring more heat, precipitation, and flooding, with some states likely to experience below-normal temperatures. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is bracing for extreme heat, emphasizing the increasing dangers of climate change-induced heat waves. NOAA has expanded its HeatRisk tracking website to help vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.
Brazil has extended exemptions to tourist visa requirements for citizens of the U.S., Australia, and Canada until April 2025 to boost tourism, with this being the third time the visa requirement has been delayed since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office in 2023. The decision deviates from Brazil's traditional reciprocity principle in visa requirements and aims to attract more tourists, especially from the U.S., as nearly 670,000 Americans visited Brazil in 2023.
The bodies of nine migrants, believed to be from Mali and Mauritania, found on an African boat adrift off Brazil's northern coast were buried in a solemn ceremony in Para state. Documents suggested the boat departed Mauritania after Jan 17. The victims were buried in a secular ceremony organized by various groups including the U.N. Refugee Agency and the Red Cross. The boat, lacking essential equipment, carried items indicating a higher number of passengers than found, potentially of other nationalities.
El Nino, a natural climate pattern, is rapidly weakening and will all but vanish by summer, potentially leading to above-average temperatures in the US. La Nina could follow, amplifying the heat and supercharging the Atlantic hurricane season. The influence of El Nino or La Nina on US weather varies by season, with past summers showing extreme heat. The West is likely to experience warmer and drier conditions, while the East may see stormy weather. Climate change exacerbates these patterns, with forecasts predicting a hot summer with increased hurricane activity.
French President Emmanuel Macron's three-day trip to Brazil with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has sparked online amusement and comparisons to a romantic getaway, with social media users joking about a potential marriage between the two leaders. The visit aimed to strengthen the Franco-Brazilian partnership, focusing on environmental objectives and defense technology cooperation. Macron and Lula celebrated a $1 billion investment program for Amazon rainforest protection and emphasized collaboration on global issues while sidestepping disagreements on the war in Ukraine and EU-Mercosur trade deal.
The powerful El Nino weather event, which has ended, brought warmer waters to the Pacific, contributing to global temperature highs. Scientists are uncertain about the future impact on climate change. La Nina may develop, affecting storm patterns and global heating rate. Australian and US meteorological agencies predict a potential La Nina event, which could be the fourth in five years. Global sea surface temperatures have been record-breaking, and forecasts for ENSO beyond July should be cautious due to current ocean conditions.
New Mexico's rivers, including the Rio Grande, Gila, San Juan, and Pecos, are the most threatened waterways in America after a 2023 US Supreme Court decision left over 90% of the state's surface waters without federal protections from industrial pollution. New Mexico, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts lack the power to regulate pollution in their surface water, depending on federal protections. In response, New Mexico lawmakers allocated $7.6 million to monitor groundwater and regulate pollution discharge into surface water, emphasizing the need for Congress to defend the Clean Water Act.
Thousands of Indigenous people in Brazil marched in the capital, Brasilia, demanding official recognition of lands and protection from illegal activities like mining. They protested a proposed 950km rail project and criticized President Lula da Silva's slow progress in creating Indigenous territories. Indigenous territories make up 13% of Brazil's land, with many in the Amazon rainforest. Despite some demarcations under Lula's administration, there is strong opposition from the agribusiness sector supported by Congress members and governors.
A small boat carrying decomposing corpses was discovered by fishermen off Brazil's northeastern coast, with reports suggesting up to 20 bodies onboard. Brazil's Attorney General's office has launched investigations into the incident, sending a forensics team to determine the origin of the bodies and the boat. This discovery is not unique, as similar instances have occurred in the region before, with some boats found to carry African migrants who had drifted off course towards the Canary Islands.
Rio Grande do Sul (UK: , US: , Portuguese: [ˈʁi.u ˈɡɾɐ̃dʒ(i) du ˈsuw] ; lit. "Great River of the South") is a state in the southern region of Brazil. It is the fifth-most populous state and the ninth-largest by area. Located in the southernmost part of the country, Rio Grande do Sul is bordered clockwise by Santa Catarina to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Uruguayan departments of Rocha, Treinta y Tres, Cerro Largo, Rivera, and Artigas to the south and southwest, and the Argentine provinces of Corrientes and Misiones to the west and northwest. The capital and largest city is Porto Alegre. The state has the highest life expectancy in Brazil, and the crime rate is relatively low compared to the Brazilian national average. Despite the high standard of living, unemployment is still high in the state, as of 2017. The state has 5.4% of the Brazilian population and it is responsible for 6.6% of the Brazilian GDP.The state shares a gaucho culture with its neighbors Argentina and Uruguay. Before the arrival of Portuguese and Spanish settlers, it was inhabited mostly by the Guarani and Kaingang peoples (with smaller populations of Charrúa and Minuane). The first Europeans there were Jesuits, followed by settlers from the Azores. In the 19th century it was the scene of conflicts including the Ragamuffin War and the Paraguayan War. Large waves of German and Italian migration have shaped the state as well.
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