Brazil’s Catastrophic Flooding Claims Three Lives

(MENAFN) The death toll from catastrophic flooding and torrential rains in Brazil's southern state of Rio Grande do Sul has climbed to three, with authorities still searching for one missing person, according to Civil Defense officials on Friday.

This new wave of storms follows the region's devastating climate disaster earlier this year, which saw historic flooding between May and June 2024. That earlier catastrophe claimed at least 184 lives, left more than 20 people unaccounted for, and submerged nearly 90% of the state.

The most recent fatality occurred in Sapucaia do Sul, where a storm-induced flood claimed the life of a local resident, as swollen rivers surged across vast parts of the state.

Authorities reported that over 6,000 individuals have been evacuated from cities, including Canoas, a major municipality near Porto Alegre, the state capital.

The damage has been widespread, with at least 98 municipalities reporting significant infrastructure destruction. Several cities have already declared a state of emergency, underscoring the severity of the ongoing crisis.

The situation remains most critical along the Taquari River, where 17 municipalities have halted schools and public services as authorities continue to manage the floodwaters.

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