The rainy winter promised by meteorologists has been confirmed, and those most suffering are residents of the northern half of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. According to specialists, heavy rains are due to a cold front that has come to a standstill precisely over the region. The forecast is that the rain subsides this Tuesday and on Wednesday, but returns on Thursday.
On Monday, the number of municipalities struck by floods raised to 70, according to civil defense authorities. The number of people forced out of their homes has also increased once again, passing from 7,700 to 8,200 _ the count on Sunday was 11,500. In all, 3,070 people have nowhere to turn to, relying on shelter from the municipal authorities, with a further 5,099 displaced and staying with relatives or neighbors.
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The municipalities most affected by the floods are Iraí, Porto Mauá, Porto Xavier and São Borja. Civil defense has declared emergency situations in 15 municipalities and one in a state of public calamity (Iraí).
Itaqui, on the western border, has adopted an ingenious method to help prevent residents from losing everything to the Uruguay River. Instead of removing furniture and home appliances, homeowners have arranged for their entire homes, built on stilts, to be towed out of the water using tractors and frontend loaders. More than 50 of the so-called traveling homes have been moved since Friday, when the level of the river began to rise.
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Translation: traduzca.com
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