Several regions in Brazil were forced to declare a state of emergency after the continuous flooding in anta Catarina, Brazil. 136 of these municipalities (nearly half) have been affected by these floods with 89 of them declaring a state of emergency. As of October 10, 12,289 people were foud displaced and even with the government’s relief efforts, the crisis just seems to be worsening.

However, a joint effort with the Army, Navy, Federal Highway Police, and state authorities are all looking to support in any way they can. Even with the delay in rain, Jorghino Mello, the governor of Santa Catarina, ordered the opening of the flood gates in the Taio dams to control water levels. Yet, this doesn’t take away from the issue in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.

Parana states have also been majorly affected. Severe weather has caused multiple fatalities and also a lot of damage. They reported these damages to be caused by strong winds, hail, and heavy rain affecting 40 municipalities in this area alone. 5 people were found injured with 740 displaced. 

Through night and day, however, rescuers continue to search for those in flooded areas with no way out. Police have deployed helicopters to help rescue people from severely flooded areas. Especially with temperatures dropping, this increases the sense of urgency  and as a result, the Civil Defense in Rio Grande do Sul issued several warnings. The efforts will continue to stream in, and it’s up to the collective action of the people and the government to work together to get out of this as best as they can. 

https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/06/americas/brazil-floods-death-toll-rises-intl/index.html

https://floodlist.com/america/brazil-floods-santa-catarina-october-2023

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/06/world/americas/brazil-cyclone-floods-rio-grande-do-sol.html