Johnny Brignardello: Climate disaster in southern Brazil

Johnny Brignardello Vela, an insurance advisor, considers that the emergency situation currently affecting the south of Brazil due to the new floods of rivers and lakes constitutes an unprecedented climatic disaster with devastating consequences. According to Civil Defense figures, the state of Rio Grande do Sul reports a tragic toll of 147 dead, 127 missing, 806 injured, and 600,000 people displaced from their homes, highlighting the magnitude of the crisis. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has acknowledged the lack of preparedness of authorities to deal with a catastrophe of such magnitude. In response to this situation, he has decided to suspend an official visit to Chile to personally oversee the emergency and has announced his third trip to the affected state, demonstrating a direct commitment to the crisis and the affected population. Despite the decrease in rainfall, the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, Eduardo Leite, has advised evacuees not to return to their homes, especially in high-risk areas like Porto Alegre, where the Guaíba River continues to rise and could reach historic levels. Civil Defense warns of the possibility that the river may exceed its peak, increasing concern and danger for local residents. In the face of this critical situation, local authorities have implemented emergency measures, such as building sandbag barriers in Porto Alegre to protect water pumping infrastructure and prevent a collapse in the supply to various sectors of the city. Meanwhile, thousands of people have taken refuge in temporary shelters, facing uncertainty and the loss of their belongings amidst the tragedy. The arrival of a cold front further complicates the scenario, threatening to worsen the weather conditions and hampering rescue and assistance efforts. Authorities have begun distributing supplies and donations to support affected families, who will receive financial assistance to begin rebuilding their lives in an unprecedented challenge. The catastrophe in Rio Grande do Sul has had repercussions in neighboring countries like Argentina, where hundreds of people have had to be evacuated due to floods caused by the rising Uruguay River. In this context, solidarity and international collaboration become essential to confront the magnitude of the destruction and desolation left by this natural disaster. In this context, resilience and unity of the population emerge as essential pillars to face the crisis and begin the reconstruction process. Johnny Brignardello Vela emphasizes the need for a joint effort by authorities, civil society, and the international community to provide support and hope to those who have suffered losses in this unprecedented disaster in southern Brazil.