Over 100 people dead, at least 136 missing as rains trigger massive floods in Brazil

Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY
·2 min read

Unprecedented heavy rainfall in Brazil has caused devastating floods in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul that has left more than 100 dead and over 163,000 seeking shelter.

The floods that began last week have destroyed highways and bridges and left streets inundated with murky water in Rio Grande do Sul, which borders Uruguay and Argentina, Reuters reported. About 136 people have also been reported to be missing, the state's civil defense authority has said, as per Reuters.

Brazil's army along with other emergency management agencies has been carrying out efforts to rescue people from the flood-ravaged areas using amphibious armored cars and rescue boats.

Flood waters in the state capital of Porto Alegre and Canoas, a municipality part of the Greater Porto Alegre area, have reached a depth of 10 feet, Reuters reports, and can now only be navigated by boat or jet skis.

Residents of Porto Alegre, a city of 1.3 million people, have been living without power, after companies cut off electric supply for safety purposes. Clean drinking water is also only available in a limited supply and residents are also facing shortages of basic goods.

More rain expected

However, the floods are far from over.

Brazil's national center for natural disasters on Wednesday warned that more rain is incoming and the state continues to be under a "high risk" of more flooding, Reuters reported. More rainfall also threatens to thwart rescue efforts and local rescuers were ordered to halt their efforts Wednesday afternoon, given the forecast for rain, lightning storms and winds exceeding 50 mph.

Weather forecaster MetSul, in a statement to Reuters, said said the region could face more "very large" floods "of serious proportions".

Aerial pictures from the Rio Grande do Sul show the devastating effect of the unusual rainfall and floods:

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brazil flooding: Photos show devastation left in Rio Grande do Sul