Record rainfall and flooding in south Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state over the past 10 days have displaced hundreds of thousands of people after countless homes were destroyed, posing long-term rebuilding challenges for the country.
The death toll from flooding in the region has reached 107, and more than 100 people remain missing, said local authorities on Thursday. The National Confederation of Municipalities said that overflowing rivers and floods in the state have affected around 1.45 million people and have forced some 200,000 residents to flee their homes.
In the city of Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul state, some 6,000 people have crowded in several buildings of Brazil's Lutheran University (ULBRA), which are serving as temporary shelters for displaced individuals.
Among the displaced, Getulio Machado, who operates a small farm, said that his home and the rice fields he has tended for the last 30 years have been completely destroyed by the floods.
"The water invaded our property, breaking everything and taking it all away. But the important thing is that I was able to save my family, and that's what matters the most--life. We lost everything, but our will to rebuild it all is strong, though it's very difficult after 30 years. We need help, otherwise it will be extremely challenging," said Machado.
A group of performers from a local circus have also sought shelter at ULBRA. Just a week ago, the location where they usually set up their circus tent experienced some of the worst flooding in the region.
"We have lived through many hardships and problems traveling on the highways and roads. We face cold and even storms bringing down our tent. But nothing compares to this. I remember when I looked back and saw a wave. The water was coming and we were running. It felt like a movie," said Primo Bonaldo, owner of Bonaldo D'Italia Circus.
Private institutions, public authorities, and volunteers are all struggling to cope with the emergency. However, even after the floodwaters recede, many challenges lie ahead as countless individuals have lost everything and will have no home to return to.
In addition, infrastructure facilities in cities such as Canoas, situated within Rio Grande do Sul's metropolitan area and near Porto Alegre, have also suffered greatly, requiring extensive time and resources for reconstruction.
"We have heard from state authorities that we will need a plan here, almost a Marshall Plan, to rebuild the state. People have been forced into shelters and many of them might remain here for 60 days. The mayor's idea is, as far as possible, to gradually relocate some of those who are here to better-structured shelters," said Thomas Heimann, rector of ULBRA.
Floods devastate countless houses, pose rebuilding challenges in southern Brazil
Floods devastate countless houses, pose rebuilding challenges in southern Brazil
