“Deadly Dam Collapse and Torrential Rains Ravage Southern Brazil, Leaving Dozens Dead and Many Missing”
Heavy rains and a devastating dam collapse have unleashed chaos in southern Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state, claiming over 30 lives with around 60 people reported missing. The catastrophe has forced some 15,000 residents to evacuate, while power and clean water shortages affect half a million people statewide.
The dam breach unleashed a towering 6.6-foot wave, compounding the havoc in already flood-ravaged areas. Situated between Cotiporã and Bento Gonçalves, the collapsed structure worsened by a rare blend of scorching temperatures, high humidity, and fierce winds.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s visit to the stricken region brought promises of support from the federal government, following urgent pleas from Governor Eduardo Leite for aid in rescuing hundreds stranded across multiple municipalities. Helicopters are scouring the inundated landscape for survivors, though in some areas, severe flooding hampers rescue efforts, necessitating daring airlifts.
In Candelária, residents sought refuge atop their submerged homes, highlighting the dire circumstances. Meteorologists foresee more rainfall as a cold front sweeps through the region, exacerbating the crisis. Last year’s deadly cyclone in Rio Grande do Sul, which claimed over 30 lives, underscores the heightened vulnerability of the region.
Attributing the intensified rainfall to the climatic phenomenon El Niño, Brazil’s National Institute of Meteorology warns of further challenges ahead.