:sharpen(level=0):output(format=jpeg)/up/dt/2011/07/5644c9608b8bbe9e519e30607810a20b.jpg "Henry Schein Supports Brazil Flood Relief Efforts with Donations and Fundraising")
Authorities in southern Brazil are engaged in a race against time to rescue people affected by severe floods and mudslides that have claimed the lives of over 50 individuals and forced nearly 70,000 to evacuate their homes. The capital city of Rio Grande do Sul state, Porto Alegre, is completely flooded, with streets submerged and roofs barely visible. The Guaiba River has reached a record high level of 5.09 meters, surpassing the previous historic peak set during devastating floods in 1941.
The flooding has caused significant damage, with around 70,000 residents displaced and over a million people lacking access to clean water. The death toll currently stands at 55, with an additional 74 people reported missing. Rescue efforts have been underway, with authorities using various means, including four-wheel-drive vehicles and jet skis, to reach stranded individuals.
The rainfall has eased, but it is expected to continue for the next 24-36 hours, posing a risk of landslides. Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite has called for substantial investment to rebuild the state, describing the situation as “absolutely unprecedented.” The floods have severely impacted agroindustrial production in the state, which is known for its soy, rice, wheat, and corn cultivation.
The floods have caused extensive damage, with residential areas submerged, roads destroyed, and bridges swept away. Rescue operations are challenging due to the inaccessibility of entire towns. Approximately one-third of the displaced individuals have been accommodated in shelters set up in sports centers and schools.
The southern state of Santa Catarina has also been affected by the heavy rains. Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who visited the region, attributed the disaster to climate change. Climatologist Francisco Eliseu Aquino stated that the storms were a result of a combination of global warming and the El Nino weather phenomenon.
The situation remains critical, with authorities urging communities to evacuate and ration water supplies. The Brazilian government is mobilizing resources to provide aid and support to the affected regions.
