79 Killed in Southern Brazil Floods
- VIVA.co.id/Natania Longdong
Brazil – Rescuers explored buildings in Porto Alegre, Brazil for residents trapped in apartment or on rooftop as flash floods turned streets in the Brazilian metropolis into river.
In the Sarandi neighborhood of the state capital, firefighters first evacuated people sheltering on the roof of an apartment building, then rescued those on higher floors.
“We're evacuating those on the second and third floors,” said Daniel Batista da Rocha, a firefighter from the flood-hit state of Rio Grande do Sul, on Monday (May 6).
However, the task is admittedly complicated in a city with many high-rise buildings, wide roads and a population of around 1.4 million.
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“The water was high and deep. The (rescue) boats traveled at the same height as the power lines. So to navigate, we had to cut those wires,” said Rocha, who was wearing a yellow wetsuit, life vest and helmet, as reported from the Sundaily site.
Floods in Brazil have killed at least 78 people in the state on Sunday (May 5) with dozens missing and around 115,000 people forced to flee their homes.
In addition to Porto Alegre, hundreds of towns and villages have also been affected, leaving thousands without access to drinking water, electricity, phone service or the internet.
Time is running out for rescue teams to reach those still unaccounted for.
According to the mayor's office, the water level of the Guaiba River that passes through Porto Alegre reached 5.3 meters (about 17.4 feet) on Sunday. This is higher than the previous record of 4.76 meters recorded during the historic floods in 1941.
Moreover, not only professionals are involved in search and rescue operations.
“We are doing our best to help. Everyone is helping in their own way,” said volunteer Luis Eduardo da Silva from Porto Alegre.
His mission was to collect essential supplies such as life jackets, water and fuel to distribute to those in need.
Deliveries, he says, are made during the day because it's easier to find people amid the devastation.
“At night it would be complicated,” Silva remarked.
People are also sending bottled water and food to emergency distribution points around the city, including gas stations.
The state government has requested donations of mattresses, sheets, and personal hygiene products. Many residents are also lending their boats, and even jet skis, to help with rescue efforts.
