At least 29 people have been killed and 60 others are reported missing after a severe storm hit Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul after four consecutive days of heavy rains, floods and landslides. The information was given by Governor Eduardo Leite. He said that the unfortunate thing is that the death toll will increase.
Governor Eduardo Leite called the storm the worst natural disaster in the history of the top agricultural and livestock-producing state, Xinhua news agency reported.
The storm affected many cities, but the city of Santa Maria was the most affected. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited Santa Maria and met Governor Eduardre Leite. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva offered federal funding and assistance to deal with the emergency in the state, which borders Uruguay and Argentina.
The President said that the federal government will provide full support for health care, there will be no reduction in this support. There will be no shortage of money for food, transportation etc. Our efforts will continue round the clock to meet the basic needs of people trapped in the rain.
The governor has urged people to move to higher ground in anticipation of heavy rain. He has also called on people to stay away from flood zones identified by the Civil Defense Agency for their own safety.
He further said that around 4,400 residents have been evacuated, but thousands are still waiting to be rescued from their flooded homes.
According to Civil Defense Bulletin, 154 cities have been affected by this natural calamity.