The flood that has hit the north and northwest of Rio Grande do Sul and the west of Santa Catarina is already the largest in 30 years in the region. In Rio Grande do Sul, over 4,600 people had to leave their homes, and 52 municipalities face disturbances because of the rain.
In Iraí, which has declared a state of emergency, the level of the Uruguay River reached 12 meters above normal, slightly below the 13 meters recorded in 1983 - the worst flood recorded in the area. There are about 350 families that have been forced out of their homes, which represents from 1,200 to 1,500 people.
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In Porto Mauá, the river reached 17.3 meters and, due to the rise of 15 to 20 centimeters per hour, it is estimated that the level will exceed 21 meters this Saturday. If this occurs, the 1983 flood will also be superseded in the city, when the Uruguay River reached 20.7 meters.
The flood has caused blockades of the main links between Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. Ferry crossings on the border with Argentina have also been suspended.
- The biggest problem now is the care to the people, to the homeless. The other damage will be evaluated at a later time, like damages to bridges and roads - says the coordinator of the state's Civil Defense, colonel Oscar Luis Moiano.
According to a decision by governor Tarso Genro, the secretary of the Office of Mayors and Federative Relations, Jorge Branco, and the chief secretary of the Military House and state coordinator of Protection and Civil Defense, colonel Oscar Luis Moiano, will meet with representatives of the cities hit this Saturday morning.
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Translation: traduzca.com
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