The death toll from the storms in southern Brazil has risen to 116

Rescue workers take part in the evacuation of people affected by flooding in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, May 8, 2024. (Photo/Xinhua)

The death toll from deadly storms in southern Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state has risen to 116, the civil protection agency said on Friday.

According to the agency’s latest update, another 143 people were missing, with 756 injured and around 400,000 evacuated.

A total of 1,947,372 people were affected by the storms, while 70,863 people were rescued by security forces and rescue workers, the agency said.

The Salgado Filho International Airport of Porto Alegre, the state capital, is out of service after the Guaiba River flooded the city.

Since April 29, rain and flooding have caused the worst climate tragedy in the history of Rio Grande do Sul, a leading agricultural and livestock producer bordering Argentina and Uruguay, where more than 437 municipalities have suffered from the storms.