At least 21 killed, thousands displaced by Brazil cyclone

Torrential rain and winds brought on by an extratropical cyclone have left at the least 21 folks useless in southern Brazil, officers mentioned Tuesday, warning extra flooding could also be coming.

The newest in a string of climate disasters to hit Brazil, it’s the deadliest ever within the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Gov. Eduardo Leite informed a information convention.

“We have been deeply saddened to get the information that because the water recedes… 15 extra our bodies have been discovered within the city of Mucum, bringing the loss of life toll to 21,” he mentioned.

Shut to six,000 folks have been pressured from their properties by the storms, which began Monday, dumping hail and practically 12 inches of rain on the state in lower than 24 hours and triggering floods and landslides, officers mentioned.

In Mucum, a small city of 5,000 folks, tons of needed to be rescued from their rooftops because the Taquari River flooded greater than 85 % of the town, in response to native information web site GZH.

“There are nonetheless folks lacking. The loss of life toll would possibly climb greater,” Mayor Mateus Trojan informed Radio Gaucha.

“The city of Mucum as we knew it now not exists.”

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva despatched a message of solidarity with these affected, saying the federal authorities is “prepared to assist.”

The victims included a person killed by {an electrical} shock within the city of Passo Fundo and a pair whose automotive was swept away by a river as they tried to cross a bridge within the city of Ibiraiaras.

The storms hit 67 municipalities in all, affecting greater than 52,000 folks, authorities mentioned.

The neighboring state of Santa Catarina additionally recorded one loss of life, in response to information web site G1.

Tons of of firefighters in addition to navy police and civil protection personnel have been dispatched as a part of rescue operations, with helicopters despatched to achieve areas lower off by flooding.

“There are a lot of remoted households, many individuals nonetheless in danger,” mentioned Communications Minister Paulo Pimenta, who’s planning to journey to the area with a authorities delegation Wednesday.

With extra rain forecast from Thursday, authorities warn extra flooding is feasible.

It’s the newest in a string of lethal climate occasions to hit Brazil, which consultants say are doubtless being made worse by local weather change.

Unchecked urbanization and irregular housing constructed on hillsides are additionally making such disasters deadlier, officers say.

An estimated 9.5 million of Brazil’s 203 million folks reside in areas at excessive threat of flooding or landslides.

In June, one other cyclone left 13 useless in Rio Grande do Sul and compelled hundreds of individuals from their properties.

And in February, 65 folks died in landslides brought on by file flooding within the southeastern resort city of Sao Sebastiao, on the coast of Sao Paulo state.