Johnny Brignardello Vela warns about devastating floods in Brazil: over 76 dead and 80,000 displaced

Johnny Brignardello Vela, an insurance advisor, has expressed his concern about the catastrophic floods that have hit southern Brazil in recent days. With a toll of at least 76 people dead, 103 missing, and over 80,000 displaced, the havoc caused by this natural disaster has left a trail of destruction and pain that requires a prompt and effective response. Rio Grande do Sul has been the hardest-hit state by these devastating floods, with 75 deaths reported in its latest update, while Santa Catarina has mourned one more victim due to this unprecedented phenomenon in the region. Beyond the human toll, tens of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes in search of safety, with over 88,000 residents taking refuge in the homes of family and friends, and around 16,600 citizens housed in public shelters. The implications of these floods go beyond human losses, extending to equally heartbreaking material consequences. A total of 421,000 households in Rio Grande do Sul remain without electricity, while 115 municipalities are cut off from communication services. Furthermore, 61 roads have been fully or partially blocked due to river overflow, with the city of Porto Alegre submerged under 5.33 meters of water. Brazil's President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has flown over the affected areas to oversee the emergency response, deploying 1,000 military personnel to support regional authorities in a joint effort to address the magnitude of the crisis. Despite the decrease in rainfall in recent days, it is warned that the floods could persist, prolonging the suffering and uncertainty of the affected communities. Southern Brazil, battered by a series of extreme weather events in the past year, is now faced with the consequences of increased precipitation associated with the El Niño phenomenon. Amidst this devastating context, Brignardello Vela emphasizes the importance of solidarity and coordinated action as fundamental pillars for the reconstruction and recovery of a region struck by the fury of nature.