21 people were killed after a hurricane struck southern Brazil, the governor of Rio Grande do Sul announced on Tuesday, expressing his regret for “the worst toll of a climate event” in his region.
Governor Eduardo Leite said in a press conference, “Unfortunately, I received information that 15 bodies were found in the town of Mokum, which brings the death toll to 21.”
In June, another hurricane left 16 dead in the same state, located on the border with Uruguay and Argentina.
The governor explained that dozens of firefighters were called and "hundreds of people" were rescued.
Helicopters were used to evacuate trapped residents, after some roads became impassable due to floods.
Local authorities explained in a statement that more than 25,000 people in about sixty towns were affected by torrential rains that caused “soil slides and floods.”
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his "solidarity" with the victims, stressing that the federal government "is ready to provide assistance" to Rio Grande do Sul.
In recent years, Brazil has witnessed bad weather conditions, which experts do not rule out being linked to climate change.
The lack of urban planning increases the effects of climate disasters, as many poor residents live in unsafe housing on hillsides.
At least 65 people died last February in floods and landslides caused by torrential rains in the state of Sao Paulo in the southeast of the country.
About 9.5 million of Brazil's 203 million population live in areas vulnerable to floods and landslides.
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