According to Governor Eduardo Leite, this weather disaster is the worst ever recorded in the state, which borders Uruguay and Argentina

The repercussions of the heavy rains in Brazil have led to the deaths of at least 29 people, while 60 others are still missing, the authorities announced on Thursday 2 May. In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pledged the government’s help during his visit to the region, where the scenes were apocalyptic: monstrous mudslides, houses and cars submerged as far as the eye could see, and dangerous evacuations of inhabitants and animals carried out by the emergency services.

For Governor Eduardo Leite, this is the worst climatic disaster ever seen in this state bordering Uruguay and Argentina. At the end of the day, he expressed his deep sorrow for the lives lost, pointing out that the death toll of 29 was unfortunately likely to rise.

A state of public calamity was declared on Wednesday evening in Rio Grande do Sul, where devastating storms and thunderstorms have been raging for several days. More than 600 military personnel have been deployed to support rescue operations and distribute food to the victims. Accompanied by Environment Minister Marina Silva, the Brazilian President said that the federal government was fully mobilised to alleviate the suffering caused by this natural disaster.