Forecasts warn of more Rio Grande do Sul flood risks
Meteorological monitoring company MetSul on Monday forecast that strong rainfall in Brazil’s southernmost state Rio Grande do Sul will lead to further rises in the levels of the Guaíba River in the state’s capital Porto Alegre. Analyst Estael Sias predicts new floods in the Arquipélago neighborhood by this week, although “much less severe” than those seen in May, when the city was ravaged by its worst flood in history.
MetSul predicts that Guaíba River levels will reach at least 2.5 meters — close to the 3-meter flood level — and that siltation caused by the May floods could see the river rise even higher.
State officials on Sunday night issued a flood warning for the Sinos River region, near the city of Taquara, about 80 kilometers from Porto Alegre. Authorities also issued an alert for geological risks in several regions as the recent rain could provoke landslides.
“Be watchful for high water levels. If you live in areas with a history of flooding, try to leave risk areas in advance and stay in a safe place. Find out about prevention measures from your city hall: how to act, escape routes, shelter locations,” the statement says.
Sunday saw large volumes of rain in several cities in the north of the state, ranging from 100 to 200 milliliters. Landslides damaged and blocked roads. A religious building in the small city of Dom Pedro de Alcântara collapsed, leaving two people injured.
The National Confederation of Commerce (CNC) on Friday estimated that the Rio Grande do Sul floods caused BRL 3.3 billion (USD 610 million) in lost revenue in retail alone in May — about 18 percent of what was predicted for that month. The floods also damaged infrastructure and interrupted the flow of goods to shops. The National Confederation of Municipalities (CNM) has separately estimated that the floods caused losses of at least BRL 12.2 billion (USD 2.2 billion) in damages to homes, businesses, infrastructure, and agriculture.
According to their latest update, issued on Friday, Rio Grande do Sul authorities had confirmed 176 deaths due to the recent floods in the state, with another 39 people still missing. Over 2.3 million people were affected by the crisis, with 422,000 people displaced, and 10,700 were still in shelters.
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