South America experiences disastrous floods in Brazil
In the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, Governor Eduardo Leite has issued a stark warning about the potential for an unprecedented disaster in the city of Porto Alegre. The city, home to 1.5 million people, has already seen the first neighborhoods evacuated due to catastrophic floods that have affected 281 municipalities in the state.
The floods, triggered by record rainfall, have resulted in at least 54 deaths in September alone. The death toll from extreme weather events in Rio Grande do Sul this year has surpassed the record set in September, with at least 74 people injured and nearly 10,000 people relocated, with around 4,500 seeking refuge in temporary shelters.
The rapid rise in water levels in the Rio Grande do Sul rivers has put significant pressure on the dams, with the regional head commenting on the situation. The governor, however, has not yet issued any official comment regarding the disaster being a historic event for the state.
Meanwhile, other parts of the world are also grappling with the effects of extreme weather conditions. In Dubai, located in the desert, record rainfall has caused floods and chaos in recent weeks. The climate crisis, primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels, is exacerbating these extreme weather conditions worldwide, as reported by CNN.
Elsewhere, heavy rainfall in Kenya has caused floods and claimed the lives of at least 181 people. The local government has declared a state of emergency in areas where more than 67,000 people have been affected.
In Southeast Asia, dams are drying up due to persistent regional heat and ongoing drought. This drought-induced water scarcity is a pressing concern, adding to the global challenges posed by the climate crisis.
Governor Leite has emphasised that the priority in Porto Alegre is to save people, with material losses being a secondary concern. As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of the climate crisis, it is clear that the focus must remain on protecting human life and minimising the devastating effects of extreme weather events.
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