In Rio de Janeiro, the death toll from heavy rains in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state has risen to 143, according to the local civil defense government body. This number has increased from 136 the previous day, with 131 individuals still unaccounted for.
The government announced emergency spending of around 12.1 billion reais ($2.34 billion) to address the crisis that has affected over 538,000 people in the state. This is out of a population of approximately 10.9 million.
With this new funding, the federal government has already made over 60 billion reais available to the state, as stated in a government announcement on Saturday.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has pledged to rebuild what was lost. “We understand that not everything can be recovered, with mothers losing their children and children losing their mothers,” said Lula in a Mother’s Day statement on social media.
U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed his administration’s readiness to assist Brazil, stating that they are in contact with the Brazilian government.
Weather forecaster Metsul has predicted more rain for Sunday, which could further fill rivers that are already full or overflowing. The state’s geographical location at a meeting point between tropical and polar atmospheres has led to a weather pattern with alternating periods of intense rains and drought.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this tragedy and with the first responders who are working tirelessly to rescue and provide medical care to families and individuals, President Biden expressed.
($1 = 5.1619 reais)
