Heavy rains that began in late April of 2024 have caused rivers to flood, causing widespread devastation in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The flooding has inundated whole towns and destroyed roads and bridges. As of May 7, 2024 at least 85 people have died in the floods and about 150,000 have been displaced from their homes, officials said.
Further heavy rains are expected to exacerbate the situation in the region. Many residents had to leave their homes, with some of the most vulnerable people evacuated by rescue workers. The floods have also impacted water and electricity services, with more than 1.4 million affected overall, according to Brazil's Civil Defense.
(Photo: Rio Grande do Sul’s security forces work tirelessly to rescue people from flooding in Porto Alegre, May 3, 2024. Credit: Governo do Rio Grande do Sul via X)
