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2024 Rio Grande do Sul floods

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2024 Brazil floods
Flooded area in Pelotas
Date29 April 2024 (2024-04-29) – ongoing
LocationRio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Deaths83+[1]
Non-fatal injuries291+[1]
Missing111+[1]

Since 27 April 2024,[2] severe floods have affected the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, Brazil due to heavy rains and storms, resulting in dozens of fatalities, widespread landslides, and a dam collapse.[3][4] It is considered the country's worst flooding in over 80 years.[2] According to a report by the Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology, rainfall reached over six inches in some parts of Rio Grande do Sul in 24 hours.[5]

The floods marked the fourth such environmental disaster in a solar year, following similar calamities that killed 75 people between July, September and November 2023.[4][6]

Meteorological history

Satellite image of southern Brazil on 2 May

An atmospheric block caused by a high-pressure system in Centro-Sul, prevented the displacement of typical meteorological systems (extratropical cyclone, cold front, trough) that cause precipitation.[7] Temperatures where the anticyclone was active were five to ten degrees celsius above what is historically recorded by the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET). Due to areas of instability remained confined to the state of Rio Grande do Sul.[8] On 28 April, the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sulissued Meteorological Alert 254, later updated, warning of "the risk of disruptions due to isolated storms and locally intense rains, causing rapid rises in levels with overflow in streams, creeks, small rivers, and riparian regions, as well as slow rises in the main rivers potentially reaching flood levels, in addition to localized flooding in urban areas". In the following days, on Twitter, alerts continued to be issued, always with forecasts for adverse weather conditions.

The bad weather began in the northern part of the state on 28 April, with heavy rain and strong winds. By Monday, It had spread to almost the entire state. The bad weather from 28 April to 1 May was caused by a cold front associated with a low-pressure area over the sea. Along with this system, there was the influence of a moisture flow coming from the north of the country.[9] Another front began to enter the state on 2 May, while the moisture flow remained.

Impact

Victims

Across all regions of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, at least 83 people were killed, 291 others were injured, and 111 were left missing in the floods. 121,900 others were displaced from their homes, around 19,300 of whom are in shelters.[1][1][10][11] AFP reported that two more people died in an explosion at a flooded gas station in Porto Alegre, where rescue crews were attempting to refuel their vehicles.[12] The flooding was exacerbated by the partial collapse of the 14 de Julho hydroelectric dam [pt] located in the Das Antas River between the municipalities of Cotiporã and Bento Gonçalves,[13][6] which left at least 30 people killed;[4] four other dams across the state were also considered at risk of collapse.[2] Another victim was reported in the nearby state of Santa Catarina,[4][12] as one man died in the municipality of Ipira.[12]

Other impacts

Over 500,000 people were left without power and clean water across Rio Grande do Sul,[3][14] and [11]flood damage occurred in 345 of the state's 497 municipalities,[1] while many roads and bridges were destroyed and landslides occurred.[3][4][6] Communication via internet and telephone services was also cut off by the floods in over 40 municipalities, with the three main providers having their services affected.[6][15]

Entire cities in the Taquari River valley, such as Lajeado, Estrela,[6] Muçum, Cruzeiro do Sul and Arroio do Meio,[16] were made temporarily inaccessible by the effects of the floods.[6][16] The situation near the local river in Gravataí was also considered to be at the edge of collapsing, as four of the city's treatment plants had to be closed momentarily.[12]

In Porto Alegre, the Guaíba lake rose up to 5,31 m,[16] thus beating the previous record (4,76 m) set during the 1941 floods,[12][16][17] as most areas of the city were flooded, with more than 60 streets becoming completely inaccessible and more than 10 being partially blocked;[16][17] rescue workers used four-wheel-drive vehicles, boats and jet skis in order to maneuver through flooded streets in search of stranded and missing people.[4][12][16]

Across almost all affected municipalities, classes were suspended, with 278 schools suffering damage and 36 being repurposed as shelters.[15]

Aftermath

The floods were considered the worst to hit Brazil in over 80 years,[2] and marked the fourth such environmental disaster in a solar year, as previous floods killed 75 people between July, September and November 2023.[4][6] According to a report by the Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology, on 30 April rainfall reached six inches in some parts of Rio Grande do Sul in 24 hours.[5]

Climatologist Francisco Eliseu Aquino told AFP that, while the region was already prone to extreme climate events caused by the collision of tropical and polar air masses, these events had "intensified" due to the effects of climate change,[4][12] stating that the storms were the result of a "disastrous cocktail" of global warming and the El Niño climate phenomenon.[12]

Reactions and humanitarian efforts

In the immediate aftermath of the floods, the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite, said that the floods were an "absolutely unprecedented emergency",[4] and "the worst climate disaster" the state had ever witnessed,[12][18] even more so than the previous year's floods.[18] On 1 May, the local government officially declared a 180-day long state of emergency.[18][19] On 5 May, it was announced that the government had approved a R$117.7 million (US$21.84 million) worth package aimed to restore the state's infrastructures left damaged by the floods.[20]

All the main transportation services in Porto Alegre, including the Salgado Filho International Airport,[12][16] the Metro[21] and local bus services,[22] suspended their activities for an undetermined period.[12][22]

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited Rio Grande do Sul on 2 May,[5][23] holding a public speech in Santa Maria.[23] The Federal government of Brazil sent aircraft, boats, and more than 600 soldiers to help clear roads, distribute food, water, and mattresses, and set up shelters, while local volunteers also helped with search efforts.[2] More than 1.100 soldiers from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, as well as more than 2.000 between BMRS officers and firefighters, were reportedly involved in rescue operations across the state.[24] National Force and Civil Defense members were also sent by the state governments of Bahia, Espírito Santo, Goiás, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and São Paulo.[24] The National Army also installed a 40-bed field hospital in the municipality of Lajeado.[24]

Argentina, Venezuela and Uruguay also offered help to Brazilian authorities, with the latter country reportedly sending a KC-130H plane, a Delfin Bell 212 helicopter, two drones and an unspecified number of lifeboats.[25]

According to Brazilian press, American singer Madonna, who performed a free concert in Copacabana Beach on 4 May as part of the Celebration Tour,[26] quietly donated R$10 million (US$1.86 million) to the victims of the floodings before leaving Rio de Janeiro.[27]

Mobilization of naval resources

On 6 May, the Brazilian Navy announced the dispatch of the largest warship in South America, the helicopter carrier NAM Atlantico, which will depart Rio de Janiero and head to the coast of Rio Grande do Sul. Atlântico will also transport eight medium and small vessels to help rescue stranded victims and transport supplies through flooded road.

There will also be 40 vehicles and 200 Marine Corps (CFN) personnel on board the ship to clear the access roads. The Navy is also mobilizing the Oceanic Support Ship Mearim (G 150) and the Oceanic Patrol Ship Amazonas (P 120), which is carrying three small vessels. The two ships sail to Rio Grande do Sul in 7 May. In 8 May it will be the turn of the Frigate Defensora (F 41) to suspend transporting donations and supplies. [28]

International aid for humanitarian assistance

On May 5, the government of Uruguay sent a Uruguayan Air Force Delfin Bell 212 helicopter and its crew to Brazil, as well as two drones and two rescue boats to assist in the rescues. [29] A Lockheed Martin KC-130 plane from the Uruguayan air force left for Brazil with equipment and humanitarian aid.

On May 6, the Argentine government of Javier Milei offered aircraft, medical and police teams, as well as divers to help with the rescue. Will send 20 federal police officers, divers from the Argentine Navy, as well as 3 helicopters and a C-130 cargo plane from the Argentine Air Force.[30]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Defesa Civil atualiza balanço das enchentes no RS - 6/5, 12h". Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. 6 May 2024. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "'It's going to be worse': Brazil braces for more pain amid record flooding". Al Jazeera. 4 May 2024. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Rains in southern Brazil kill at least 39, some 70 still missing". Reuters. 3 May 2024. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Le disastrose alluvioni nel sud del Brasile". Il Post (in Italian). 5 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Gilbody Dickerson, Claire (3 May 2024). "Brazil floods: 29 people killed and thousands more displaced". Sky News. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Brazil: 37 killed and dozens missing in worst floods in 80 years". The Guardian. Associated Press. 3 May 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  7. ^ "ONDA DE CALOR NO BRASIL PIORARÁ COM RECORDES HISTÓRICOS E ATÉ 40ºC". MetSul Meteorologia (in Brazilian Portuguese). 26 April 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Bloqueio atmosférico: entenda o fenômeno responsável pela onda de calor". Jornal Estado de Minas (in Brazilian Portuguese). 3 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  9. ^ "FRENTE FRIA VAI AVANÇAR PELO RS E SC COM MAIS CHUVA INTENSA E TEMPORAIS". MetSul Meteorologia (in Brazilian Portuguese). 1 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Sobe para 66 o número de mortos após inundações no Rio Grande do Sul" (in Brazilian Portuguese). O Dia. 5 May 2024. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Temporais no RS: Defesa Civil confirma 66 mortes e investiga outros 6 óbitos". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 5 May 2024. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Fabal, Carlos (4 May 2024). "Floods In Southern Brazil Kill 55, Force 70,000 From Homes". Agence France-Presse. Barron's. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  13. ^ Leão, Luan (2 May 2024). "Rompimento de barragem no RS: veja cidades ameaçadas e com ordem para moradores buscarem abrigos". CNN Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  14. ^ Rocha, Leonardo; Lukiv, Jaroslav (3 May 2024). "Brazil floods: Dam collapses and death toll rises in Rio Grande do Sul". BBC News. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Atualização dos serviços de infraestrutura do RS – 6/5, 9h". 6 May 2024. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g Zanatta, Pedro; Rigue, André; Lauxen, Nathalia (6 May 2024). "Cidades do Rio Grande do Sul continuam isoladas pelo 5º dia após chuvas devastadoras". CNN Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Guaíba passa dos 5 metros e Porto Alegre amanhece com mais regiões atingidas pela enchente". Correio do Povo (in Brazilian Portuguese). 4 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  18. ^ a b c "Rio Grande do Sul decreta estado de calamidade pública por conta das cheias". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2 May 2024. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Decreto Nº 57.596, de 1º de Maio de 2024". Diário Oficial do Rio Grande do Sul (in Brazilian Portuguese). Rio Grande do Sul. 1 May 2024. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024. [Art. 2 This Decree comes into force on the date of its publication and will remain in force for a period of 180 days.]
  20. ^ "Governo destina R$ 117,7 milhões para a reconstrução de estradas estaduais". Portal do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (in Brazilian Portuguese). Rio Grande do Sul. 6 May 2024. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  21. ^ Pelegi, Alexandre (4 May 2024). "Trens da Trensurb deixam de circular na tarde dessa sexta-feira (03), e operações só devem ser retomadas na segunda (06)". Diário do Transporte (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Rodoviária de Porto Alegre fica totalmente alagada e viagens são canceladas". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 4 May 2024. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  23. ^ a b Munhoz, Fábio (2 May 2024). "Chuvas no RS: "não vamos permitir que falte recursos para reparar os danos", diz Lula". CNN Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  24. ^ a b c Pereira Guimarães, Saulo (4 May 2024). "Força Nacional e 9 estados enviam agentes, aviões e cães para apoiar o RS". UOL (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  25. ^ "Aeronaves, drones e lanchas: Uruguai acerta envio de ajuda ao RS". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 5 May 2024. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  26. ^ Lusa (26 March 2024). "Madonna vai dar um concerto gratuito na praia de Copacabana para um milhão de pessoas" [Madonna to give a free concert on Copacabana beach for a million people]. Publico (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  27. ^ Gouveia, Aline (6 May 2024). "Madonna doa R$ 10 milhões ao Rio Grande do Sul, diz colunista" [Madonna donates R$10 million to Rio Grande do Sul, says columnist]. Correio Braziliense (in Brazilian Portuguese).{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ https://www.defesaaereanaval.com.br/naval/saiba-o-que-o-nam-atlantico-vai-levar-para-o-rs
  29. ^ https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2024/05/05/aviao-drones-e-lanchas-uruguai-acerta-envio-de-ajuda-ao-rs.ghtml
  30. ^ https://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2024/05/06/argentina-oferece-aeronaves-equipes-de-saude-policiais-e-mergulhares-para-ajudar-rio-grande-do-sul.ghtml
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