Recent devastating floods that hit the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul have led to a tragic toll, with the death toll reaching at least 83 according to the state’s civil defense unit. This disaster also left 276 people injured, 111 people missing and forced more than 121,000 people to leave their homes, disrupting the lives of more than 850,000 individuals in 345 municipalities in the region.
Authorities are currently investigating four additional deaths to determine whether they are linked to the storms. Images emerging from the affected area show destroyed homes, submerged roads and collapsed bridges, testifying to the destructive force of the floods.
The poignant testimonies of residents and evacuees attest to tragic scenes, including the presence of lifeless bodies still in the flood water, which may not yet have been counted in the casualty count. Rescue teams, made up of around 1,000 military firefighters, were deployed in large numbers to carry out rescue operations and try to save as many lives as possible.
The striking images show muddy waters rising to the tops of rooftops, as rescue teams sail in inflatable rafts to evacuate residents, including their pets. The desolate landscape left by the floods, with mud covering streets and destroyed buildings, is a grim reality for many affected communities.
Rio Grande do Sul has been increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events in recent years, with at least 54 deaths occurring in the state in September following a subtropical cyclone. It is clear that the climate crisis, mainly driven by human activity related to the burning of fossil fuels, is worsening extreme weather events across the world, making these events more intense and more frequent.
Faced with this tragedy, it is crucial to take concrete measures to mitigate the effects of climate change and strengthen the resilience of communities in the face of such disasters. Investments in natural hazard prevention, public awareness and the implementation of effective disaster management policies are essential to protect the lives and property of vulnerable populations in the face of these increasingly devastating climate events.