Guaíba level drops 16cm in 11 hours but remains above 4 meters May 25, 2024

The level of the Guaíba, in Porto Alegre, dropped by 16 centimeters (cm) between 7 pm on Friday (25)

Guaíba level drops 16cm in 11 hours but remains above 4 meters

Death toll rises to 165 in Rio Grande do Sul

Published on 25/05/2024 - 11:39 By Paula Laboissière - Agência Brasil Reporter - Brasília

The level of the Guaíba, in Porto Alegre, dropped by 16 centimeters (cm) between 7 pm on Friday (25) and 6 am on Saturday (26). Data released by the government of Rio Grande do Sul indicates that, until 8 am this morning, the measurement of 4.16 meters (m) had been maintained. The flood level at the site is 3m.

After several days without rain, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul recorded prolonged and intense rainfall throughout last Thursday (23). As a result, streets and avenues were flooded and some neighborhoods, especially in the center-south and south of the city, which had dried out after the floods at the beginning of the month, were flooded again. Residents had to be evacuated from their homes.

Despite being considered robust, efficient, and easy to operate, Porto Alegre's flood protection system failed because it was not constantly maintained by the city government and the Municipal Water and Sewage Department (DMAE). This is the assessment of 42 engineers, architects, and geologists. They published a manifesto on the biggest flood in Porto Alegre's history.

Weather forecast

The National Meteorological Institute (Inmet) has issued a warning of potential danger in Rio Grande do Sul due to falling temperatures. The forecast is for a decline of between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius (°C) by 6 pm this Sunday (26). In Porto Alegre, for example, the temperature this Saturday should vary between 10°C and 14°C.

The weather in the Rio Grande do Sul capital should remain cloudy over the weekend, but there is a chance of further rain at the start of the week. Next Monday (27) and Tuesday (28), according to Meteorologia, should see showers and thunderstorms.

Balance

A shopkeeper removes rubble from a store invaded by rainwater in Porto Alegre Photo - Rafa Neddermeyer/Agência Brasil

Data from the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul indicates that, to date, 469 municipalities out of a total of 497 have been affected by the floods.

In all, 55,791 people are in shelters, 581,638 are homeless and 2,345,400 have been affected by the floods. There are still 165 confirmed deaths, 806 injured and 64 missing. At least 83,593 people and 12,497 animals have already been rescued in the region.

Editing: Kleber Sampaio

Trad. Ana Lucia Cunha-Busch by DeepL