KATHMANDU: The death toll resulting from heavy rains in Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state has risen to 136, according to the local civil defense government body. This figure marks an increase from the previous count of 126 reported the day before. Additionally, there are still 125 people unaccounted for as a result of the storms and floods.
The impact of the severe weather conditions has led to approximately 537,000 people being displaced, as reported by the local civil defense body. This represents a significant rise from the 340,000 individuals displaced as reported in the previous day's update. The effects of the storms have affected about 446 urban centers, impacting the lives of over 2.1 million people in a state with a population of approximately 10.9 million.
Weather forecasters from Metsul have indicated that following a brief respite, the rains that began on Friday in the state have resumed, causing rivers to fill up once again. This development has been described as "worrying," particularly given the already precarious flood situation. The meteorological service highlighted that the accumulated precipitation is occurring in critical areas, exacerbating the flooding along the basins and main river sources.
The unique geographical location of the state, positioned between tropical and polar atmospheres, has contributed to a weather pattern characterized by periods of intense rainfall or drought. Local scientists attribute the intensification of this pattern to climate change, underscoring the need for continued attention to the environmental factors influencing extreme weather events.
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