After violent floods, southern Brazil is devastated. The tragedy left more than 150 dead and nearly 600,000 displaced… A toll that could increase with the return of the rains since this weekend. In Rio de Janeiro, people from the disaster region worry about their families there
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With our correspondent in Rio, Sarah Cozzolino
With dark circles in her eyes from not being able to sleep, Daniela has been volunteering at a donation center for a week in Rio. She studies here, but her eight brothers and sisters live in the region Rio Grande do Sul. “ All live in towns that have been affected by floodingthe young woman torments herself. It tugs at my heart, but I can’t be there. My boyfriend is from there too. Even though my heart is there, my way of being with them is to come here and gather these gifts “.
“ The water hasn’t subsided yet »
The family of Taís, another volunteer, is from the town of Canoas, near Porto Alegre, where the situation is dramatic. “ My whole family had to leave the houseshe explains. Today, it is completely underwater, and we do not know the extent of the damage since the water has not yet subsided. “. His relatives took refuge with other relatives on the coast. The state of emergency will last several more weeks according to her.
“ It rained again this weekend, and we are worried because the river level has risen again. I feel like it’ll never end », Taís is alarmed. And the cold now threatens the displaced people. This week the minimum temperatures will be between 0 and 5 degrees in the region.
Brasil, ” not prepared »
President Lula recognized Monday that the Brazil was not not prepared » for ongoing historic flooding. He announced that he would travel to the state of Rio Grande do Sul on Wednesday, for the third time since the start of the bad weather.
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