May 4th 2024.
The Taquari river bridge was completely submerged in flood water, causing widespread devastation in southern Brazil. It was the worst flooding the region had seen in almost a century, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of at least 39 people, while another 68 were reported missing.
The heavy rain that had been pouring down relentlessly in the state of Rio Grande do Sul caused chaos and despair, with over 24,000 people being forced to evacuate their homes. The civil defense agency reported major disruptions in electricity, water, and communication services, adding to the already dire situation.
In the city of Porto Alegre, a woman was rescued and evacuated from her home as the floods continued to ravage the area. The scenes were nothing short of apocalyptic, with people navigating the flood water by boat and helicopters flying non-stop over the affected cities. Families with young children were stranded on rooftops, waiting anxiously to be rescued.
This was the fourth environmental disaster in just a year for Brazil, with previous flooding in July, September, and November of the previous year claiming the lives of 75 people. The situation was made even more difficult by the meltdown of internet, phone, and electricity connections, leaving residents struggling to contact their loved ones in other parts of the country.
In one particularly devastating incident, a dam at a hydroelectric plant collapsed, causing the complete submersion of cities in the Taquari River valley. Even in towns located miles away from the state capital, such as Feliz, the flooding was severe enough to sweep away a bridge connecting it to a neighboring city.
Drone footage showed the extent of the damage, with vehicles and homes completely engulfed by the flood water. Firefighters worked tirelessly to help residents evacuate to safety, but the situation was far from over.
Isolete Neumann, a 58-year-old resident of Lajeado, described the experience as a "horror movie." She shared how people were desperately trying to protect hospitals by building barricades with sand and gravel, while her own neighborhood was left without running water. Her store, located in the city center, was also flooded, leaving her with nothing.
The heavy rain had started on Monday and was expected to continue until Saturday, according to meteorologists. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his solidarity with the victims of the floods, as he met with Japan's premier Fumio Kishida. He stated that this was the worst flooding in the history of Brazil, with an unprecedented amount of rain falling in a single location.
The situation in southern Brazil was dire, with families displaced, homes destroyed, and loved ones lost. The country was reeling from yet another natural disaster, leaving many wondering when the rain would finally stop and the rebuilding process could begin.
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