The death toll continues to climb following devastating floods in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, with the count reaching 78 as per the latest update from the state’s Civil Defense Unit on Sunday.
Reports indicate that 175 individuals are injured, while 105 remain unaccounted for. The widespread flooding has impacted a staggering 844,673 people across 341 municipalities, leading to the displacement of 115,844 individuals.
Eyewitnesses, including local residents and evacuees, have recounted sightings of bodies in floodwaters, potentially increasing the casualty count beyond official figures.
Col. José Carlos Sallet, subcommander of Rio Grande do Sul Military Firefighters, revealed that approximately 1,000 firefighters are actively engaged in rescue operations. Despite challenges, rescue efforts have intensified, particularly as the rain subsides, allowing for more targeted operations.
Graphic images depict the inundation, with murky waters engulfing rooftops in some areas. Rescue teams are employing inflatable rafts to evacuate individuals and their pets.
Rio Grande do Sul has experienced a surge in extreme weather incidents in recent times, with a sub-tropical cyclone claiming the lives of 54 individuals in September. The escalation of such events is attributed to the climate crisis, fueled primarily by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, exacerbating the intensity and frequency of extreme weather phenomena globally.
