The mayor of Porto Alegre, Brazil, has requested water rationing as 80% of the population lacks running water due to recent flooding. Rescue efforts continue in Rio Grande do Sul, where closed airports, blocked roads, and disrupted water treatment facilities are posing challenges. Urgent needs include drinking water, food, and hygiene products, with other Brazilian states sending donations to help. Efforts are ongoing to rescue people stranded by the floods in the region, but more rain is forecast, adding to the difficulties faced by residents.
The situation in Porto Alegre is dire, with five out of six water treatment facilities not working and the city virtually cut off due to closed transportation hubs and flooded roads. Mayor Sebastião Melo has ordered that water be used exclusively for essential consumption, and residents have been urged to ration water until the situation improves. The most pressing need is for drinking water, but food and personal hygiene products are also in short supply, prompting mobilization efforts from other parts of Brazil to send aid.
Residents who are able to flee Rio Grande do Sul are doing so amid fears of shortages and disease outbreaks. Many are finding it difficult to leave Porto Alegre due to blocked access roads, with the city’s airport and main bus terminal closed indefinitely. A looming cold front is expected to bring more heavy rain to the region, exacerbating the flooding and potential for further damage. Governor Eduardo Leite has issued warnings to residents in areas close to the Patos Lagoon, where rising water levels could pose a threat.
The floods have forced over 150,000 people from their homes, with an additional 50,000 seeking refuge in temporary shelters. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited the area for the second time, accompanied by various government officials, to assess the situation and provide support. Meanwhile, public health experts are concerned about the risk of disease outbreaks as much of the region remains underwater, with cases of dengue fever and leptospirosis expected to rise in the coming days.
Security is also a growing concern, with reports of looting and theft targeting volunteers working on rescue operations in the area. The public security secretariat in Rio Grande do Sul has announced plans to increase police presence to prevent further incidents. Additionally, three state soccer clubs have requested a suspension of national league matches for the next 20 days due to the flooding, with Brazil’s soccer confederation considering the request. The overall impact of the flooding and ongoing rescue efforts continue to be closely monitored as the situation unfolds.
