Heavy rains in the southern Brazilian state of Rio 📈 Grande do Sul have caused devastating floods, leaving 37 people dead and 74 still missing. This is the fourth major 📈 environmental disaster in the state in the past year, following floods in July, September, and November that killed a total 📈 of 75 people.
Statewide flooding has surpassed that seen during a historic deluge in 1941, according 📈 to the Brazilian Geological Service. In some cities, water levels are at their highest since records began nearly 150 years 📈 ago.
On Thursday, a dam at a hydroelectric plant between the cities of Bento Goncalves and 📈 Cotipora partially collapsed, causing entire cities in the Taquari River valley, such as Lajeado and Estrela, to be completely overtaken 📈 by water. In the town of Feliz, a bridge connecting it with the neighboring city of Linha Nova was swept 📈 away by a massively swollen river.
More than 23,000 people have had to leave their homes, and 📈 operators have reported electricity, communications, and water cuts across the state. Weather specialist Marcelo Seluchi has stated that the downpour 📈 started on Monday and is expected to last at least through Saturday.
Governor Eduardo 📈 Leite has alerted the state's population about the persistence of rains and floods, expecting the situation to worsen in Porto 📈 Alegre.
Weather across South America is affected by the climate phenomenon El Niño, causing droughts in the 📈 north and intense rainfall in the south. This year, the impacts of El Niño have been particularly dramatic, with a 📈 historic drought in the Amazon. Scientists say extreme weather is happening more frequently due to human-caused climate change.