Porto Alegre neighborhood will have to be evacuated after dike overflows | Brazil

The approximately 91,300 residents of the Sarandi neighborhood, in the north of Porto Alegre, were asked to leave the neighborhood after a dike overflowed caused by the heavy rains that have hit the state since last week. The statement was issued by the Integrated Service Coordination Center (Ceic) of the city hall of the capital of Rio Grande do Sul.

In a statement, Ceic advised residents to go to Teatro Renascença, in the Menino Deus neighborhood, where the homeless undergo screening before being sent to temporary shelters. The theater is in the center-south region of Porto Alegre.

Initially, there were rumors that the Arroio Feijóo dike, behind the headquarters of the Federation of Industries of Rio Grande do Sul (Fiergs) had broken at around 4pm this Sunday (5). Ceic denied the breach and reported that the dike has been overflowing since the early hours of Saturday (4) and that the area is being evacuated as a precaution.

Duck’s lake

At around 4:20 pm, the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul issued a flood alert for the coastal areas of the entire Lagoa dos Patos, the largest in the state and which is below the mouth of Lake Guaíba. The agency advises the population to evacuate risk areas, seek shelter and not cross flooded areas on foot or by car.

In case of emergency, the city hall advises residents to seek information from the city’s Civil Defense.

Dams

According to the most recent report from Rio Grande do Sul’s Civil Defense, the number of dams at risk in Rio Grande do Sul has risen to six. On Saturday, only two dams were in this situation.

In total, 18 dams in the state present some level of fragility. In addition to the six dams in the most critical situation, another five are at “alert level”, which is when “anomalies represent a risk to the safety of the dam, requiring measures to maintain safety conditions”.

There are also seven dams at “attention level”, which is when “anomalies do not compromise the safety of the dam in the short term, but require monitoring, control or repair over time”.

Tragedy

The heavy rains that have hit Rio Grande do Sul since last week have already affected more than 780,000 people, and caused the death of 75 people, according to a Civil Defense bulletin. Another six deaths are still under investigation and 155 people were injured. There are still 103 people missing. Authorities say this is the worst climate disaster in Rio Grande do Sul’s history.

The Gaucho government asks the population for help. The most necessary items are mattresses, bedding, bathing suits, blankets, drinking water, animal feed and basic food baskets, preferably closed, to facilitate transport. Find out how to donate.