Authorities warn of landslides after conducting several thousand flood rescues in two days
At least 11 people were killed in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul after an extra-tropical cyclone struck the region, according to the state’s authorities.
The storm on Friday caused torrential rains and helicopter searches were under way in flooded neighbourhoods to find 20 others who were missing, the government of Rio Grande do Sul said.
One of the worst hit on the cyclone’s trail was the town of Caraa, with a population of more than 8,000 people.
“The situation in Caraa deeply worries us. It is essential that we can, in an organised way, quickly map the main affected areas and identify the people who need support,” said Rio Grande do Sul’s governor, Eduardo Leite, who visited the area.
As of Friday night, Maquine, a municipality on the eastern coast, had received around a foot of rain, authorities said.
Many residents in the worst hit areas took shelter in outdoor sports facilities in their towns. The authorities issued a warning for a risk of landslides in several areas.
Leite said authorities carried out 2,400 rescues in the last two days.
“Our main objective at this first moment is to protect and save human lives. We are rescuing people who are stranded, locating missing people and giving all the support to the families,” he said.