Despite being warned of the impending flood, his home was swamped before he could respond, as the state of Bahia suffers the consequences of severe rains that flooded two dams and killed at least 21 people.
“We intended to remove the furnishings but did not have time; as a result, we lost everything. The television was the only thing we were able to preserve “As he tossed out a sofa, recliners, and microwave that had all been wrecked, da Silva said AFP. When water invaded Joao Vitor Gomes Santos’ home in Itapetinga, he was similarly caught off guard. “We lost everything, including the wardrobe, bed, and dresser.” According to local government officials, more over 77,000 individuals have been displaced, with nearly half of them requiring emergency housing.
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The floods have affected over half a million people, with 136 towns declaring a state of emergency. Authorities stated on Tuesday that a 19-year-old who drowned in the village of Ilheus became the 21st casualty since the end of November. According to authorities, this is the wettest December in Bahia in 32 years. A month’s worth of rain poured in a handful of hours in some locations. While the floodwaters have receded in some regions, leaving mounds of trash in their wake, the risk of flooding has increased in others owing to the opening of floodgates. As levels rise in multiple rivers, firefighters in Bahia warn at least ten dams are at risk of collapse. Residents in the most vulnerable locations have been asked to flee. Boats and helicopters are the sole means of assistance in certain regions of the state. As a result of the floods, 40 state highways have been obstructed or damaged.
Meteorologists predict that torrential rains may hit far more populated states like Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo in the coming days. President Jair Bolsonaro approved a 200-million-reais ($36-million) loan on Tuesday to repair infrastructure and highways in five states, including 80 million reais for Bahia. Rui Costa, the governor of Bahia and a member of the opposition Workers’ Party, branded the action “insufficient” and demanded additional resources to address the situation. He described the situation in his state as a battle zone on Tuesday, saying it was too early to assess the extent of the devastation.
Bolsonaro has been chastised for failing to visit the impacted communities. On Tuesday, when numerous ministers flew over the destroyed areas, Bolsonaro was photographed jet-skiing on a beach in the country’s south. According to a local website in Santa Catarina, he assured fans, “I hope I will not have to cut short my holidays.” On Twitter, left-wing senator Marcelo Freixo accused him of “lack of sympathy.”