Floods in Brazil make 58 victims

Torrential rains and mudslides took the lives of at least 58 people, as the mountainous city of Petropolis was hit by catastrophe on Tuesday. The region was affected by 25.8 centimetres of rain within three hours.

According to Mayor’s Rubens Bomtempo statements, the number of casualties could be even higher. So far, 21 people were found and saved, in a joint effort of authorities and locals. 180 soldiers were allocated in the area by the state fire department.

"Yesterday there was a woman screaming 'Help! Get me out of here!' But we couldn't do anything, the water was gushing out, the mud was gushing out. Our city unfortunately is finished," resident Rosilene Virgilio declared for The Associated Press.

The area of Petropolis was made vulnerable to floods by deforestation and improper drainage, so natural catastrophes during decades caused more than 900 deaths here. Moreover, works to improve the situation unfortunately do not keep up with the floods.

So far, houses have been buried by mud, some of the streets are inaccessible, cars have been pulled away by the waters, making the firefighters’ rescue intervention very difficult.

"The neighbours came down running and I gave them shelter. It was like an avalanche, it fell all at once. I've never seen anything like it. Every neighbour has lost a loved one, has lost two, three, four members of the same family, kids", local Emerson Torre commented for the Associated Press.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro as well as the Russian President Vladimir Putin have expressed their solidarity with the affected families. The city hall has declared three days of mourning.

According to officials, moderate rain is still expected in the Southeastern region of Brazil.

 

Source: 9news.com.au