Brazil Floods Toll Rises to 143, President Luiz Silva Announces 'Emergency Spending'

Brazil floods: The worst natural disaster to hit Brazil in decades has caused 143 deaths, displaced over 5,00,000, and left 81,000 homeless. The government has declared an emergency.

Brazil Floods: Rescue teams wait near a gathering station in Porto Alegre following heavy rains as the death toll from the rain has risen to 143. ( Image Source :PTI )

Brazil Floods: The Brazilian government has announced an "emergency spending" as the toll in the worst flood in several decades rose to 143 on Monday. The Brazil floods have displaced more than 5,38,000 and rendered 81,000 homeless, out of a population of around 10.9 million, reported news agency Reuters. Local civil defence officials from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul said the number of deceased has risen to 143, while 125 people remain unaccounted for.

According to weather forecaster Metsul, the situation is "extremely worrying" as the rain is not showing any sign of stopping. The rainfall did not stop on Sunday and more rain is expected this week too. Government data has revealed that intense rain since Friday caused four rivers to the west of the state capital, Porto Alegre, to rise at an alarming rate. 

O Brasil está unido pelo Rio Grande do Sul. O Governo Federal não mede esforços para salvar vidas e auxiliar na reconstrução do estado. Já está em ação uma força-tarefa para levar recursos essenciais para socorrer vítimas e cuidar das famílias gaúchas. #ForçaRS pic.twitter.com/4jxXaCXHV3

— Lula (@LulaOficial) May 12, 2024

At places where water seemed to be subsiding, people decided to return. However, as fresh alerts came in, they were stopped from doing so. 

Residents of the Mucum area on Saturday managed to begin some of the clean-up work. However, with the rain only intensifying, the work had to be stopped.

Mateus Trojan, the mayor of Mucum while speaking to Reuters, said, "We are removing people from risky areas. We will have another large [flood] event."

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on his official X handle posted that his government will reconstruct the state. He wrote, “Brazil is united by Rio Grande do Sul. The Federal Government spares no effort to save lives and assist in the reconstruction of the state. A task force is already in action to bring essential resources to help victims and care for families in Rio Grande do Sul.”

The government of Brazil has announced "emergency spending" of 12.1 billion reais and more than 60 billion reais in federal funds has already been sanctioned for rebuilding and rehabilitation.