Largest Flood in Rio Grande do Sul History Leaves Communities Stranded and Causes Scenes of Destruction
The Lotteries of the State of Paraná (Lottopar) has become a collection point for donations for flood victims in Rio Grande do Sul.
The Lottery House
tags:
Rio Grande do Sul
Lottopar
Introduction:
Daniel Romanowski, the CEO of Lottopar, is leading an initiative amidst the tragedy of floods ravaging the state of Rio Grande do Sul. In a gesture of solidarity and support to the victims, Lottopar is conducting an internal campaign among its employees to raise donations. These donations will be allocated to those affected by the floods, which have, as of this Sunday (05/05), resulted in the loss of 78 confirmed lives, with 4 deaths under investigation, along with 105 missing and 175 injured. In total, 844,673 people have been affected by the storms in the Gaúcho territory, with 115,844 displaced and 18,487 in shelters.
Thus, the headquarters of Lottopar has become a collection point to receive donations, including non-perishable food, drinking water, personal hygiene items, and cleaning materials. This act of solidarity aims to provide support to the affected communities and demonstrate mutual support in difficult times. Understand what is happening in Rio Grande do Sul and how important everyone's help is.
Storms in Rio Grande do Sul: see the chronology of the tragedy that killed 75 people
The rain, which began on 04/27, gained strength on 04/29. The impacts reached various regions of Rio Grande do Sul, unlike in 2023, when the storms were in isolated regions. The most affected areas are the valleys of the Taquari, Caí, Pardo, Jacuí, Sinos, Gravataí rivers, in addition to the Guaíba, in Porto Alegre.
Saturday, April 27: first storm
On Saturday, before the start of the tragedy, some municipalities in the Vale do Rio Pardo recorded impacts caused by rain and hail. Santa Cruz do Sul was one of the most affected cities. In Porto Alegre, the storm caused more than 1,200 lightning strikes.
Sunday, April 28: impacts
Civil Defense reported impacts in 15 municipalities after the storm the day before. The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) issued an orange alert with the risk of a storm for half of the southern state.
Monday, April 29: red alert
At the end of the day, Inmet issued a red alert for high rainfall volume for half of the state.
Beginning of the tragedy
Tuesday, April 30: first deaths
Rio Grande do Sul recorded the first deaths due to the storms. Two men who were inside a car died after the vehicle was swept away by water in Paverama. That day, the number of victims reached eight.
Roads were blocked in various regions. The force of the water swept away a section of BR-290 in Eldorado do Sul. Bridges were taken away by the force of the water.
Wednesday, May 1: widespread damage
The number of deaths reached 11. One of the victims died after a landslide in Salvador do Sul, and the Fire Department rescued two people due to the collapse of houses after a landslide.
Part of a house was swept away by the force of the floodwaters in Putinga. The wooden part detached from the rest of the property, built with bricks.
A man who spent 15 hours on top of his car was rescued by four friends between Cachoeira do Sul and Rio Pardo.
Thursday, May 2: historic floods
The state ended the day with 32 deaths, between the official count of Civil Defense and deaths reported by other authorities. The amount of rainfall that fell in recent days was three times the average for this time of year. Rio Grande do Sul declared a state of public calamity.
The only hospital in the city of Três Coroas was closed after being flooded by rainwater.
A vessel known as the "São Valentim ferry" collided with a bridge that crosses between Lajeado and Estrela.
Friday, May 3: chaos in Porto Alegre
The effects of the storm began to be felt, more severely, in Porto Alegre. In the morning, authorities blocked traffic on the two bridges over the Guaíba River due to the rise of the Jacuí River.
The waters continued to rise. At the end of the day, the level of the Guaíba reached 4.77 meters, surpassing the record from 1941.
Salgado Filho International Airport was closed, and airlines canceled departures and arrivals of flights in Porto Alegre.
The state Civil Defense issued an alert and ordered the evacuation of communities in seven cities after the partial breach of the 14 de Julho dam. In total, four dams were at risk of breaching.
Rescue teams began searching for 34 people who were trapped in a landslide on a stretch that connects Veranópolis to Bento Gonçalves.
Saturday, May 4: biggest tragedy in history
With the number of 55 confirmed deaths and seven others under investigation, the current tragedy surpassed the one that occurred in the Taquari Valley in 2023, which left 54 victims.
An explosion inside a gas station in the North Zone of Porto Alegre caused a fire with injuries. Prisons were isolated, and the state had to transfer inmates.
A hole opened on Castelo Branco Avenue, towards the Coast/Capital. As a result, the main access to Porto Alegre was blocked. The pavement collapsed after the water passing underneath the avenue, through a gate, took part of the asphalt.
Cities in the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre, such as Canoas, Eldorado do Sul, and Guaíba, experienced flooding. Authorities and volunteers worked with boats and jet skis to help isolated people, who waited for rescue on top of buildings and viaducts.
The lawn of the Arena do Grêmio flooded on Saturday. The stadium is near the mouth of the Gravataí River into the Jacuí River, in Porto Alegre.
Sunday, May 5: Guaíba level rising
After breaking historical records on Saturday (05/04), the level of the Guaíba continued to rise in the early hours of Sunday (05/05), according to the measurement by the Porto Alegre City Hall. At 7 a.m., the lake was at 5.30 meters.
The Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul stated that 78 deaths were confirmed due to the storms affecting the state. Four other confirmed deaths are being investigated to determine if they are related to the tragedy.
How to Help Rio Grande do Sul?
The state of Rio Grande do Sul has organized a donation page called SOS Rio Grande do Sul. The government reactivated the donation channel via Pix to assist flood victims.
Donation account: SOS Rio Grande do Sul;
Pix key is CNPJ: 92.958.800/0001-38 (CNPJ linked to the account at Banrisul);
The account name is "SOS Rio Grande do Sul."
Donations of non-perishable food, drinking water, personal hygiene items, and cleaning materials can be delivered to the Civil Defense of each Municipality and also at the headquarters of Lottopar, located at 950 Marechal Deodoro Street, Centro, Curitiba/PR.
Conclusion:
This is a crucial moment for us to come together and demonstrate solidarity with the flood victims, offering practical assistance and emotional support. Each contribution makes a difference in rebuilding the lives and communities affected by this tragedy.
The Lottery House empathizes with the tragedy that Rio Grande do Sul is facing and expresses solidarity with the victims affected by the floods in the state.