<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuid0tw1GoUlD7hY" /></p>

<p>Experts warned on Wednesday (May 15) that Brazil's&nbsp;Porto Alegre (which is&nbsp;the capital of Rio Grande do Sul state)&nbsp;might suffer severe flooding for weeks to come. According to Brazil's national weather service INMET, parts of Rio Grande do Sul&nbsp;have seen more than 25 inches of rain&nbsp;so far&nbsp;this month.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A report by the news agency Reuters said that the waters of Lake Guaiba, which breached its banks to flood&nbsp;Porto Alegre,&nbsp;have risen again this week to 17.13 feet.&nbsp;This&nbsp;was well above the flood level of 9.8 feet&nbsp;and close to last week's all-time record of 17.4 feet.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-thousands-evacuated-as-flash-floods-cold-lava-flow-kills-50-721153">Indonesia: Thousands evacuated as flash floods, cold lava flow kill 50</a></strong></p>

<p>The report said&nbsp;that the&nbsp;floods devastated dozens of towns island from Porto Alegre, where the downtown area remained underwater.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Death toll in&nbsp;Rio Grande do Sul at 149; 108 still&nbsp;missing</strong></h2>

<p>A total of 149 people have died in Rio Grande do Sul due to the floods&nbsp;and&nbsp;108 people are still missing. Citing state officials, Reuters reported that around 250,000 houses are still without power and over 136,000 people have lost access to water.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An initial forecast from the&nbsp;UFRGS Institute of Hydraulic Research (IP) suggested that&nbsp;the water could take 35 days to return to normal levels based on the experiences of the flood in 1941.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;BRICS group of nations pledge billion dollars for Southern Brazil</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-floods-brics-group-of-nations-pledge-billion-dollars-for-southern-brazil-721762/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Experts, meanwhile, said that Lake Guaiba should return slowly to below flood levels within weeks or even by mid-June.&nbsp;Renewed rainfall over the last few days led to a new rise in the Guaiba water level, alerting&nbsp;authorities to warn residents not to return to&nbsp;areas at risk.</p>

<h2><strong>President Lula announces financial&nbsp;aid</strong></h2>

<p>Brazilian President&nbsp;Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said&nbsp;on Wednesday that the federal government would distribute&nbsp;$992 (5,100 reais) to&nbsp;240,000 families&nbsp;which&nbsp;have&nbsp;lost their houses or furniture in the floods.</p>

<p>Speaking at&nbsp;Rio Grand do Sul's&nbsp;Sao Leopoldo, President Lula&nbsp;said his administration will bring forward the payment of some social benefits for the state's citizens while planning to buy homes from the private sector to give to the displaced people.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Experts warned on Wednesday (May 15) that Brazil's Porto Alegre (which is the capital of Rio Grande do Sul state) might suffer severe flooding for weeks to come.

Experts warned on Wednesday (May 15) that Brazil's Porto Alegre (which is the capital of Rio Grande do Sul state) might suffer severe flooding for weeks to come. According to Brazil's national weather service INMET, parts of Rio Grande do Sul have seen more than 25 inches of rain so far this month. A report by the news agency Reuters said that the waters of Lake Guaiba, which breached its banks to flood Porto Alegre, have risen again this week to 17.13 feet. This was well above the flood level of 9.8 feet and close to last week's all-time record of 17.4 feet. Also read | Indonesia: Thousands evacuated as flash floods, cold lava flow kill 50 The report said that the floods devastated dozens of towns island from Porto Alegre, where the downtown area remained underwater. Death toll in Rio Grande do Sul at 149; 108 still missing A total of 149 people have died in Rio Grande do Sul due to the floods and 108 people are still missing. Citing state officials, Reuters reported that around 250,000 houses are still without power and over 136,000 people have lost access to water. An initial forecast from the UFRGS Institute of Hydraulic Research (IP) suggested that the water could take 35 days to return to normal levels based on the experiences of the flood in 1941. Also watch | BRICS group of nations pledge billion dollars for Southern Brazil × Experts, meanwhile, said that Lake Guaiba should return slowly to below flood levels within weeks or even by mid-June. Renewed rainfall over the last few days led to a new rise in the Guaiba water level, alerting authorities to warn residents not to return to areas at risk. President Lula announces financial aid Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday that the federal government would distribute $992 (5,100 reais) to 240,000 families which have lost their houses or furniture in the floods. Speaking at Rio Grand do Sul's Sao Leopoldo, President Lula said his administration will bring forward the payment of some social benefits for the state's citizens while planning to buy homes from the private sector to give to the displaced people. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil floods: Porto Alegre may suffer severe flooding for weeks to come, experts warn

<p>The death toll from severe flooding in southern&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;has risen to 107, civil defense said on Thursday, as rescue operations continued and authorities began to see the cost of recovering from the devastation in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.</p>

<p>In a dramatic symbol of the disaster, rescuers saved a horsethat had been trapped precariously for two days on a rooftop in a badly flooded town.</p>

<p>More rains are forecast in the coming days, raising fears that water levels will rise further in the inundated state capital of Porto Alegre and nearby town where streets have turned into rivers.</p>

<p>At least 136 people are still missing and more than 165,000 have been displaced from flooded homes and rescued by boats and helicopters.</p>

<p>Television images showed the horse straddling the roof of a farmhouse on the outskirts of Canoas, a town north of Porto Alegre. The animal was secured by firemen and loaded into a Zodiac inflatable boat to take it to safety.</p>

<p>The floods have destroyed infrastructure and bridges, blocking access to Porto Alegre, where supermarket shelves are empty and looting has been reported at night.</p>

<p>Governor Eduardo Leite said initial calculations indicate that Rio Grande do Sul will need at least 19 billion reais ($3.68 billion) to rebuild from the damage, which has extended into farm areas around the capital.</p>

<p>"The effect of the floods and the extent of the tragedy are devastating," he said on social media.</p>

<p>In Brasilia, the federal government estimated the fiscal impact of the flooding at 7.7 billion reais ($1.49 billion), mostly due to the injection of funds into a support program for small businesses hit by the floods.</p>

<p>"This doesn't end here," President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said at an event announcing steps to help the stricken state. Lula said the full extent of Rio Grande do Sul's needs would be known only when the water recedes.</p>


The death toll from severe flooding in southern Brazil has risen to 107, civil defense said on Thursday, as rescue operations continued and authorities began to see the cost of recovering from the devastation in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

The death toll from severe flooding in southern Brazil has risen to 107, civil defense said on Thursday, as rescue operations continued and authorities began to see the cost of recovering from the devastation in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. In a dramatic symbol of the disaster, rescuers saved a horsethat had been trapped precariously for two days on a rooftop in a badly flooded town. More rains are forecast in the coming days, raising fears that water levels will rise further in the inundated state capital of Porto Alegre and nearby town where streets have turned into rivers. At least 136 people are still missing and more than 165,000 have been displaced from flooded homes and rescued by boats and helicopters. Television images showed the horse straddling the roof of a farmhouse on the outskirts of Canoas, a town north of Porto Alegre. The animal was secured by firemen and loaded into a Zodiac inflatable boat to take it to safety. The floods have destroyed infrastructure and bridges, blocking access to Porto Alegre, where supermarket shelves are empty and looting has been reported at night. Governor Eduardo Leite said initial calculations indicate that Rio Grande do Sul will need at least 19 billion reais ($3.68 billion) to rebuild from the damage, which has extended into farm areas around the capital. "The effect of the floods and the extent of the tragedy are devastating," he said on social media. In Brasilia, the federal government estimated the fiscal impact of the flooding at 7.7 billion reais ($1.49 billion), mostly due to the injection of funds into a support program for small businesses hit by the floods. "This doesn't end here," President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said at an event announcing steps to help the stricken state. Lula said the full extent of Rio Grande do Sul's needs would be known only when the water recedes.

Deaths in Brazil floods rise to 107, horse rescued from rooftop

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuid1bjU0cESqcs5" /></p>

<p>Deadly flooding, mudslides, and torrential storms in southern Brazil have forced&nbsp;69,200 people from their homes, the country's civil defence agency said on Saturday (May 4). The agency&nbsp;said&nbsp;that Porto Alegre was among the worst-affected regions.&nbsp;Raging floodwaters have left 57 dead, 74 people injured, and another 67 missing, the agency added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A report by the news agency AFP early Sunday said that fast-rising water levels&nbsp;in&nbsp;the state of&nbsp;Rio Grande do Sul were straining dams and particularly&nbsp;threatening&nbsp;Porto Alegre, a city of 1.4 million. The above death toll did not include&nbsp;two people who died in an explosion at a flooded gas station in the city, the report added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-woman-wheels-corpse-of-an-elderly-man-into-bank-to-sign-for-loan-712419">Brazil woman wheels in corpse of an elderly man into bank to 'sign' for a loan</a></strong></p>

<p>The Guaiba River, which flows through&nbsp;Porto Alegre, was at a historic high of&nbsp;5.04 metres. This level was well above the 4.76 metres that had stood as a record since the devastating 1941 floods.</p>

<h2><strong>Over 1 million lack access to potable water</strong></h2>

<p>The civil defence agency also said&nbsp;on Saturday&nbsp;that&nbsp;more than a million people lacked access to potable water amid the flooding.&nbsp;Authorities were&nbsp;scrambling to evacuate swamped neighbourhoods as residents struggled&nbsp;in chaotic conditions&nbsp;to find their way to safety.</p>

<p>The international airport at&nbsp;Porto Alegre suspended all flights for an&nbsp;undetermined period.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Brazil floods: Heavy rains lash Southern state of Rio Grande Do Sul</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-floods-heavy-rains-lash-southern-state-of-rio-grande-do-sul-718062/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Meanwhile,&nbsp;Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite said his state would require a&nbsp;"Marshall Plan" of heavy investment to rebuild after the catastrophe. Since Monday, at least 300 municipalities in the state&nbsp;have suffered storm damage&nbsp;in the state.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>President Lula visits&nbsp;Rio Grande do&nbsp;Sul&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>On Thursday, Brazilian President&nbsp;&nbsp;Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva&nbsp;paid a visit to&nbsp;Rio Grande do Sul.&nbsp;A report by the news agency Reuters said&nbsp;that President Lula would travel back to the state on Sunday to follow the rescue efforts.</p>

<p>Lula said on X that his government was in constant contact with state and city authorities to support the region with whatever they needed.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Deadly flooding, mudslides, and torrential storms in southern Brazil have forced 69,200 people from their homes, the country's civil defence agency said on Saturday (May 4).

Deadly flooding, mudslides, and torrential storms in southern Brazil have forced 69,200 people from their homes, the country's civil defence agency said on Saturday (May 4). The agency said that Porto Alegre was among the worst-affected regions. Raging floodwaters have left 57 dead, 74 people injured, and another 67 missing, the agency added. A report by the news agency AFP early Sunday said that fast-rising water levels in the state of Rio Grande do Sul were straining dams and particularly threatening Porto Alegre, a city of 1.4 million. The above death toll did not include two people who died in an explosion at a flooded gas station in the city, the report added. Also read | Brazil woman wheels in corpse of an elderly man into bank to 'sign' for a loan The Guaiba River, which flows through Porto Alegre, was at a historic high of 5.04 metres. This level was well above the 4.76 metres that had stood as a record since the devastating 1941 floods. Over 1 million lack access to potable water The civil defence agency also said on Saturday that more than a million people lacked access to potable water amid the flooding. Authorities were scrambling to evacuate swamped neighbourhoods as residents struggled in chaotic conditions to find their way to safety. The international airport at Porto Alegre suspended all flights for an undetermined period. Also watch | Brazil floods: Heavy rains lash Southern state of Rio Grande Do Sul × Meanwhile, Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite said his state would require a "Marshall Plan" of heavy investment to rebuild after the catastrophe. Since Monday, at least 300 municipalities in the state have suffered storm damage in the state. President Lula visits Rio Grande do Sul On Thursday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva paid a visit to Rio Grande do Sul. A report by the news agency Reuters said that President Lula would travel back to the state on Sunday to follow the rescue efforts. Lula said on X that his government was in constant contact with state and city authorities to support the region with whatever they needed. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil floods: Nearly 70,000 forced from homes, death toll at 57