Defensa Civil reported flood damage across Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná as heavy rain linked to El Niño kept rivers rising and evacuations underway. Rio Grande do Sul alone had at least 73 municipalities affected since July 17, while alerts for new storms remained active.
Rio Grande do Sul and the Taquari
Some localities in Rio Grande do Sul recorded more than 170 millimeters of rain over the last few days. In Encantado, the Taquari river exceeded flood level, and in Lajeado it overflowed, prompting preventive evacuations.
The same rain hit São Sebastião do Caí, where the Caí river overflowed, and Santa Cruz do Sul, where the Pardinho river overflowed and sirens were activated to warn residents and residents and. In Porto Alegre, saturated soil caused a retaining wall to collapse.
Authorities said seven municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul had already been declared in a state of emergency while emergency operations continued. The overlap is stark: alerts are still in force even after several towns have already crossed the emergency threshold.
Chapecó and Paraná damage
In Ciríaco, An 80-year-old man was rescued after becoming trapped with his automobile in a flooded area. In Chapecó, 77.6 millimeters fell in 24 hours, flooding homes, damaging roofs, blocking streets and affecting a health center; three people left their home after water entered the house.
Paraná also faced flooding. Foz do Iguaçu recorded 108 millimeters of rain, with flooded streets, fallen trees and material damage, and flooding also affected Santo Antônio do Sudoeste, Francisco Beltrão, Honório Serpa and Coronel Vivida in Paraná.
Storm alerts across Brasil
Meteorological agencies are warning of new storms with up to 100 millimeters of rain per day, winds between 60 and 100 kilometers per hour and possible hail. Porto Lucena recorded 172 millimeters, Paraí 165, André da Rocha 153, Marau 151 and Vanini 150, a spread that shows the rainfall is not confined to one corridor.
Authorities are keeping watch on further precipitation and emergency response across Brasil. For residents in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná, the immediate issue is not the headline number alone but whether the next round of rain adds to already saturated ground and swollen rivers.
