Torrential rains brought devastation to southern Brazil, claiming the lives of at least 31 people and leaving over 1,600 residents homeless. The extratropical cyclone that swept through the region on Monday continued to wreak havoc, battering more than 60 cities and causing widespread destruction. Rio Grande do Sul governor Eduardo Leite described the death toll as the state’s highest from a climate event, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
The city of Mucum, with a population of approximately 50,000, was particularly hard hit. Footage showed families stranded on rooftops, pleading for help as rivers overflowed their banks. In a grim testament to the disaster’s scale, 15 of the deaths occurred in a single house. Many of the victims succumbed to electrical shock or were trapped in vehicles, according to online news site G1.
The town hall in Mucum advised residents to stock up on supplies for the next 72 hours, a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability. The cyclone’s aftermath left many communities cut off, with wide avenues transformed into fast-moving rivers. TV footage captured a goat suspended from an electrical line, a poignant reminder of the waters’ unprecedented heights.
Rio Grande do Sul governor Eduardo Leite (Via Eduardo Leite/Twitter)
The storm’s impact was felt across a broad swathe of the state, with authorities maintaining three flooding alerts for the Jacui, Cai, and Taquari rivers. The region’s centre-south region is expected to receive further heavy rainfall, although it may spare the worst-hit areas.
The disaster is the second major weather event to strike Rio Grande do Sul this year. June saw another extratropical cyclone claim the lives of 16 people and cause widespread destruction in 40 cities, many of which were around the state capital, Porto Alegre. As rescue efforts continue to expand, the full extent of the devastation is slowly coming into focus, and the people of southern Brazil are left to grapple with the aftermath of this devastating and traumatic event
