Brazil Cyclone Leaves 3000 People Homeless; Death Toll Revealed

A powerful Brazil cyclone in the country's southern region has resulted in the loss of at least 13 lives and forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes, according to ABC.

The cyclone brought heavy rain and strong winds, causing significant damage across numerous towns in Rio Grande do Sul, including the capital city Porto Alegre.

This unfortunate event adds to a series of weather-related disasters impacting South America's largest country.

Brazil's civil defense agency reported the discovery of two other bodies in the coastal town of Caraa Sunday, which was severely affected by the cyclone between Thursday and Friday.

The town of Caraa currently has three people still reported as missing, a revised figure from the previous day when it stood at 20 missing individuals.

Another heavily impacted area was the town of Tramandai, where official records indicate wind speeds of over 100 kilometers per hour were recorded during the cyclone.

The destructive force of the Brazil cyclone has left communities grappling with the aftermath of the disaster.

Four-Month-Old Baby, Among the Brazil Cyclone Death Toll

A four-month-old baby was among the casualties caused by the cyclone in Brazil, per Al Jazeera.

Survivors recounted their harrowing experiences, with one woman in Sao Leopoldo describing how the water rose to their waist inside their house.

Fortunately, swift action by firefighters, who arrived quickly with boats, ensured their rescue. Many residents were grateful for the timely response, although the situation felt like a nightmare.

The Brazil cyclone had a significant impact, with nearly 5,000 people facing damaged houses and approximately 84,000 people without electricity as of Sunday.

Sao Leopoldo, located around a half-hour drive from Porto Alegre, experienced unprecedented rainfall.

Over 246mm (9.7 inches) of rain fell in just 18 hours, a historical record for the city of 240,000 inhabitants, as Porto Alegre Mayor Ary Jose Vanazzi emphasized.

Flooded streets persisted in several towns, including Novo Hamburgo, Lindolfo Collor, and Sao Leopoldo, even as the rain subsided. Soldiers could carry out rescue operations in Novo Hamburgo once the rain had stopped.

Unfortunately, the situation may worsen with the forecast of further rainfall and cold temperatures in the middle of the following week, potentially exacerbating the challenges those already affected by the cyclone.

Global Warming Causes Increased Tropical Cyclones

The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events worldwide are escalating amidst a rapidly warming climate, CNN reports.

Compared to pre-industrial times, the global temperature has risen by 1.2 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, projections suggest that the next five years could be the hottest ever recorded.

The United Nations reports that the proportion of high-intensity hurricanes, also known as tropical cyclones, has risen due to the global warmer temperatures. This phenomenon can be attributed to the overall warming trend.

Additionally, researchers have observed that these storms are more likely to linger and cause catastrophic rainfall and persist for more extended periods after making landfall.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Brazil cyclone leaves at least 12 dead, residents sheltering in southern state - From Global News