State officials said that at least 11 people were killed in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul after an extra-tropical cyclone hit the region on Friday.
In a statement, the government of Rio Grande do Sul stated, “The storm brought severe rains and helicopter searches are continuing in flooded neighborhoods to find 20 others who have gone missing”.
Caraa, with a population of about 8,000 people, was one of the hardest-hit towns in the path of the cyclone.
Governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite said, “We are profoundly concerned about the situation in Caraa. It is critical that we can quickly map the main affected areas and identify the people who require assistance”.
Authorities said that Maquine, a municipality on the eastern coast, had received about a foot of rain as of Friday night.
Many residents in afflicted areas have sought refuge at local outdoor sports facilities. The authorities have issued a landslip warning in many places.
According to Leite, authorities have performed 2,400 rescues in the last two days.
“Our primary goal at this time is to protect and save human lives. We’re rescuing stranded people, looking for missing people, and providing assistance to families”, Leite said.
Flooding is prevalent in Brazil and has caused havoc for decades.
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