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Death toll from floods in Brazil strikes 126 as rain returns

Rains returned to Rio Grande do Sul on Friday as the death toll from historic floods in Brazil's southernmost state reached 126, according to regional authorities, climbing from 113 earlier in the day.

Floods and storms battering the state, home to some 10.9 million people, have likewise displaced practically 340,000 while another 141 people are still unaccounted for, civil defense said.

Heavy rains have actually triggered a number of rivers and lakes in the area to strike their greatest levels ever, while floods blocked streets and interrupted logistics, setting off a shortage of vital items in particular areas.

Nearly 2 million individuals have actually been impacted up until now, civil defense said in their most current update on Friday night.

Weather condition forecaster MetSul stated that most Rio Grande do Sul cities should experience rains on Friday, including there is a high danger of storms. They ought to continue up until Monday, it included a. statement.

The state is at a geographical meeting point between. polar and tropical atmospheres, which has actually developed a weather. pattern with periods of extreme rains and others of dry spell.

Regional researchers believe the pattern has actually been intensifying. due to environment change.

In Canoas, one of a lot of impacted cities near state capital. Porto Alegre, over 6,000 individuals were remaining in a college. gym became shelter.

Aparecida de Fatima Fagundes stated she had actually been having a hard time to. sleep there as she could not stop considering the worst day. of her life.

I keep remembering people saying 'help', 'help', she stated. It was horrible.

State government stated more than 385,000 people had no water. services, while some 20 cities were out of telecom services.

On Thursday, the federal government announced a plan of. aid procedures to assist Rio Grande do Sul, which included bringing. forward payment of social benefits and providing less expensive credit. to farmers and companies.

Governor Eduardo Leite said earlier this week that initial. estimations suggest that Rio Grande do Sul would require a minimum of. 19 billion reais

(source: Reuters)