Rio Grande do Sul State, located in Southern Brazil, is facing the worst climate tragedy in its history. In some places, rainfall exceeded 5 times the monthly average in only a few days. The main rivers, including Uruguai, Jacuí, Taquari, Caí, Sinos, Gravataí and Guaiba and the Lagoa dos Patos, have surpassed historic levels, flooding entire cities and hundreds of landslides and debris flows have been identified on the highlands. Almost 70% of the cities in Rio Grande do Sul State have declared public calamity and will need external help to return to normality. The number of displaced people is more than 538.000, the victims of landslides and floods are 147 and 127 people are still missing. These numbers are increasing day by day.
The ABGE – Brazilian Association for Engineering Geology and the Environment, through its South Representative, is monitoring the situation and has already made volunteers available to the Government for emergency geotechnical assessments of remaining risk areas, contributing to the safety of the population.
