Death toll from heavy rains in Brazils southern Rio Grande do Sul state reaches 56

Published: 05 May 2024 at 13:55

Weather

The death toll in Brazil's southern Rio Grande do Sul state has risen to 56 due to heavy rains, with over 30,000 people displaced and residents being rescued from rooftops using helicopters. The flooding has led to widespread evacuations in the region.

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Death Toll Rises Due to Heavy Rains in Brazil's Southern State

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.

Massive floods and landslides in Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state leave 56 dead and 67 missing, displacing 25,000 people

Heavy rains in Brazil's southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul, have led to significant flooding and landslides, resulting in 56 fatalities and 67 missing persons. Around 25,000 residents have been forced to evacuate since the storms began, with half a million people facing power and water shortages. The extreme weather conditions stem from a combination of high temperatures, humidity, and strong winds, affecting over half of the state's 497 cities. Infrastructure damage includes a collapsed hydroelectric dam, a second dam at risk, and flooded streets in the regional capital Porto Alegre, where flights are suspended. President Lula da Silva has pledged government support amidst forecasts of more rain due to a cold front, with authorities linking the intense rainfall to the El Nino climate phenomenon.

Deadly Storms Cause Flooding in Southern Brazil

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.

Flood and Landslide Hit Indonesia's Sulawesi Island, Killing 14 People

14 people were killed in Indonesia's Sulawesi island due to a flood and landslide triggered by torrential rain in the Luwu district. The floods, reaching up to 3 meters high, affected 13 sub-districts, damaging over 1,000 houses with 42 swept off their foundations. Search and rescue teams evacuated residents using rubber boats, relocating over 100 people to mosques or relatives' houses. Seasonal heavy rainfalls in Indonesia lead to frequent landslides and floods, impacting mountainous regions and floodplains where millions reside across the island chain.

Bodies of Nine Migrants Found on African Boat Off Brazilian Coast Buried in Para State

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.

Small Boat with Decomposing Corpses Spotted off Brazil's Northeastern Coast

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 (Wikipedia)

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.

Eruptions from Mount Ruang volcano in Indonesia lead to evacuations and flight cancellations

Mount Ruang, a 725-meter volcano on Ruang Island in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been erupting since mid-April, causing fresh evacuation orders, airport closures, and flight cancellations. The eruptions on Tuesday prompted Indonesia's national volcano agency to issue a tsunami alert. More than 12,000 people have been called to evacuate, with nearby schools closed to protect from volcanic ash. Flights in the area, including those from airlines like Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines, have been canceled due to volcanic ash reaching eastern Malaysian airspace.

Indigenous People March in Brazil to Protect Lands from Mining

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.

Indonesia's Mount Ruang Erupts, Forcing Evacuations and Flight Disruptions

Mount Ruang in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province erupted, sending ash over 5km into the sky. Thousands of residents were evacuated, with flights disrupted in the region. The eruption prompted fears of a tsunami, leading to evacuations from nearby islands like Tagulandang to Siau. Indonesian and Malaysian airports were closed due to volcanic ash spreading, with ash reaching as far as Borneo. Mount Anak Krakatoa's 2018 eruption, which caused a tsunami, serves as a reminder of the region's volcanic activity.

New Mexico's Rivers Face Looming Threat Due to Lack of Federal Water Protections

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.