Recent heavy rain in Brazil has led to devastating floods in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, resulting in the loss of at least 107 lives and affecting over 1.4 million people. The floods have left 754 individuals injured and approximately 164,000 displaced, with 134 individuals still missing.
Amid the chaos, there have been reports of social unrest, including looting and instances of sexual abuse in shelters for flood victims. Authorities have arrested 47 individuals in connection with these crimes.
As the region braces for more rainfall, officials are advising those rescued from the floods not to return to their homes. The national meteorology institute has warned of intense rainfall expected between Friday and Sunday, with some areas anticipating up to 100 mm of rain.
The extreme weather conditions have been attributed to the El Niño climate phenomenon, which has caused warming waters in the Pacific and increased rainfall in southern Brazil. Additionally, long-term global warming resulting from human activities has exacerbated the situation.
With communication networks disrupted by the storms, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has announced a donation of 1,000 internet terminals to aid emergency responders in the region.
The government of Rio Grande do Sul estimates that it will need approximately $3.7 billion USD for reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the floods.
Neighboring Uruguay has also been impacted by the storms, with over 1,300 people displaced and widespread power outages reported.
