Death toll from rainfall in southern Brazil rises to 78, more than 115,000 people displaced | World news

Floods caused by storms have affected more than two-thirds of the nearly 500 towns in the state, which borders Uruguay and Argentina, in recent days, displacing more than 115,000 people, according to authorities.

Death toll from rainfall in southern Brazil rises to 78 (AP)

The death toll from heavy rains that caused flooding in Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to at least 78, local authorities said on Sunday, displacing more than 115,000 people. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in Rio Grande do Sul on Sunday morning with most members of his cabinet to discuss rescue and reconstruction efforts with local authorities.

“The bureaucracy will not stand in our way and prevent us from regaining the greatness of the state,” Lula said at a news conference. “It is a war scenario and post-war measures are needed,” state Governor Eduardo Leite added.

The death toll could rise significantly as 105 people were reported missing on Sunday, compared to around 70 the day before, according to the state’s civil protection authority. It also said it is investigating whether. Floods caused by storms have affected more than two-thirds of the nearly 500 towns in the state, which borders Uruguay and Argentina, in recent days, displacing more than 115,000 people, according to authorities.

Floods have destroyed roads and bridges in several cities. The rain also caused landslides and the partial collapse of a dam at a small hydroelectric power station. More than 400,000 people were without power Sunday evening, while nearly a third of the state’s population was without water, authorities said.

In Porto Alegre, the state capital, Lake Guaiba burst its banks and reached its highest water level ever, the national geological survey said. Porto Alegre International Airport has suspended all flights since Friday.

In the town of Canoas, near Porto Alegre, Julio Manichesque, 76, was rescued by volunteers after staying on the roof of the house where he has lived for 52 years since Friday. “I’ve never seen so much water,” Manichesque said.

Many volunteers also risked their own safety during the rescue efforts, using small boats, jet skis and kayaks. Fabiano Saldanha, 30, said he and three friends have used jet skis since Friday to rescue about 50 people on islands that are part of Porto Alegre. “The only thing we hear when we enter a street is ‘help,’ ‘help,’” Saldanha said.

During his weekly address to the crowds in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, Pope Francis said on Sunday he was praying for the people of the state. “May the Lord receive the dead, comfort their families and all who had to leave their homes,” the pope said.