Brazil’s southernmost state capital may suffer severe flooding for weeks to come, experts warn, compounding the struggles of half a million people forced to abandon their inundated homes.
Parts of Rio Grande do Sul state have seen more than 630 mm (25 inches) of rain so far this month, national weather service INMET reported – more than London’s average rainfall in a year.
The waters of Lake Guaiba, which breached its banks to flood state capital Porto Alegre, have risen again this week to 5.22 meters (17.13 feet), well above the flood level of 3.0 meters and close to last week’s all-time record of 5.33 meters.
Meteorologists and engineers at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) said water levels could stabilize or keep rising if it rains again. They said it could take a month before the water retreats below flood levels, based on historical comparisons.
The floods have devastated dozens of towns inland from Porto Alegre, where the downtown area remains under water, killing at least 148 and leaving 124 still missing.
More than 267,000 addresses are still without power and 159,000 people have lost access to water, state officials said.
The aftermath of Brazil Flooding Subside will require extensive cleanup and reconstruction efforts. Communities must brace for potential health risks and environmental damage. Moreover, long-term measures to enhance resilience against future flooding events are imperative.
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