Brazil has been hit by the worst floods in 80 years

This is the fourth flood to hit Brazil in the last year. The previous three claimed a total of 75 lives. Those that have now hit the south of the country are, however, even stronger than the memorable flood of 1941, The Guardian newspaper quotes the Brazilian Geological Survey. In some places, the water level reached the highest since the beginning of the 150-year-old records.

On Thursday, a hydroelectric dam partially collapsed between the towns of Bento Goncalves and Cotipora, and water subsequently completely flooded several towns in the Taquari River Valley. Families with children waited on rooftops for rescue helicopters. In Feliz, 80 km from the state capital Porta Alegre, the water washed away a bridge. Electricity and communication outages are reported across the state, where more than 23,000 people had to leave their homes.

Heavy rain in the area began Monday and forecasters expect it to continue through at least Saturday. According to Governor Eduardo Leite, the situation will worsen, especially in Porto Alegre.

“As a human being, I’m destroyed inside like any gaucho (term for a resident of the state),” Leite said. “But as governor, I am firm here and I guarantee that we will not relent. With focus, attention, discipline and fury, we do everything to ensure the execution of everything within our reach.”

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