Deadly Cyclone hits South Brazil, 41 dead 50 still missing

A devastating cyclone hit the south of Brazil five days ago which has brought large-scale devastation in the region. The extratropical cyclone brought heavy rain with it which killed 41 people and 50 more are reported missing, as per media records.

Rescuers were on Friday searching for almost 50 people still missing after the natural phenomenon hit the region unleashing torrential rain and flooding in the south of the country. The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite, has estimated rebuilding road infrastructure will cost about 100 million reais ($20 million).

Destruction in Brazil

The death toll has risen to 41, with around 230 people injured and 11,000 forced from their homes, according to official statements. More than 147,000 people were affected across the state of Rio Grande do Sul, civil defense authorities said in a statement.

Thousands of emergency workers and dozens of helicopters have been deployed in the rescue efforts, which have been complicated by the destruction of two bridges and blocked roads. Eight military aircraft and hundreds of soldiers are also taking part in search and rescue.

With the commencing of the G20 Summit in India from September 9-10, Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will be in India and he’s sending Vice President Geraldo Alckmin to the region, where he will arrive Sunday with a ministerial delegation.
“We are acting on all fronts,” Lula wrote on social media.

Vice President Alkmin’s remark on cyclone

Vice President Alkmin announced in a press conference that the federal government would send 20,000 food baskets and medicine kits for 15,000 people in Rio Grande do Sul, where authorities have declared a state of emergency. Moreover, more than 3,000 people who lost their homes will receive 800 reais ($167), he said.

The governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite, has estimated rebuilding road infrastructure will cost about 100 million reais ($20 million).

Alckmmin also that these cyclones are a result of climate change. According to Francis Lacerda, a researcher at the Pernambuco State Agronomy Institute’s Climate Change Laboratory Brazil is not used to cyclones in its region but it’s becoming more and, more frequent for these natural phenomena to arrive in the country.

In June, another cyclone left 13 dead in Rio Grande do Sul and forced thousands of people from their homes.