FALCON POWERS – Local authorities in Brazil announced on Saturday that the death toll from heavy rainfall in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, located in the southernmost part of the country, has risen to 56 people, while the fate of dozens of others remains unknown. The Civil Defense in Rio Grande do Sul reported that 67 individuals are still missing, and approximately 25,000 people have been displaced from the neighboring state of Uruguay and Argentina, where over half of its 497 cities have been affected by the storms accompanying the rainfall. The floods have destroyed roads and bridges in several areas of the state. The storm also caused landslides and partial collapse of a small hydroelectric power station dam.
Authorities also stated that another dam in the city of Bento Gonçalves is also at risk of collapsing.
In Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, the water overflowed on both banks of the Guaíba River, leading to the flooding of streets. Porto Alegre International Airport announced an indefinite suspension of all flights.
Eduardo Leite, the governor of the state, stated to journalists on Friday evening that the death toll is expected to increase.
