Heavy rains across southern Brazil have triggered powerful landslides and floods. At least six people have died in the last week due to these disastrous climate events.
Fatalities Due to Floods, Landslides Due to Brazil Torrential Rains
These fatalities took place in Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. Serious property damages in the former has been reported as thousands of individuals had to evacuate and be sheltered in gymnasiums.
The overflowing of the Taquari River has also led to the flooding of several towns across Rio Grande do Sul. In the town of Roca Sales, several volunteers had to work on Sunday in order to clear the streets that were blocked and covered with debris and mud that were left behind by the river. Some streets were left completely mud-covered, while some trees were also torn down.
Across the state of Santa Catarina, there were also reported fatalities from heavy rains that started on Tuesday. Given this situation, a state of emergency in 64 towns was declared by the governor.
In the four cities that were hit the hardest, the three days' worth of rain was over double compared to the expected rain to hit for the whole month of November.
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Extreme Weather Events in Southern Brazil
In the past few months, extreme weather events have been hitting Southern Brazil. These weather events include the recent torrential rains that hit the area. There was even an extratropical cyclone that hit the area just a few months ago and left the region in devastation.
Last September, a cyclone battered Rio Grande do Sul. Because of this, homes were flooded while rivers swelled. The extratropical storm started on September 4 and impacted 83 municipalities. More than 50 people reportedly died, with the highest fatalities reported in Rio Grande do Sul. Several of the victims died due to electrical shocks, being trapped inside vehicles, and being swept away by the strenght of the flood current.
There was also another cyclone that hit the area last June. This cyclone left 13 people in Rio Grande do Sul dead, while thousands of individuals were forced to leave their homes.
Last February, 65 individuals also died due to landslides that were caused by flooding in Sao Sebastiao. This southeastern resort town is situated on the Sao Paulo coast. The governor had to declare a state of emergency across five coastal towns that were heavily affected by the torrential rains.
A Pressing Threat
According to experts, several of these disasters are fueled by climate change. There are various factors for extreme weather. It is notable, however, how global warming increases the likelihood of intense rainfall.
Officials also note that irregular housing constructed on hillsides and unmonitored urbanization are also adding to the deadliness of these disasters. In fact, roughly 9.5 million out of the 203 million people who reside in Brazil dwell in areas that have a high risk of experiencing landslides or floods.
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