RIO DE JANEIRO—Heavy rains returned to the states of Pernambuco and Alagoas this weekend, threatening more flooding in a region already battered by deadly floods last week.
In the worst hit cities, rivers are at risk of bursting their banks again. Brazilian civil defense has been evacuating areas in most danger, but many people have still not left their homes. In São Jose da Laje, 1,500 people are stranded in isolated rural areas, now accessible only by air.
In Santana do Mundaú, emergency repair teams are still reconstructing bridges damaged last week.
On Monday, heavy rains poured down on Pernambuco and Alagoas and according to meteorologists, strong winds off the coast are expected to bring heavy rain the rest of the week across northeastern Brazil.
Floods have already left thousands homeless and wreaked havoc in the region. The latest figures from the National Secretariat of Civil Defense report that 95 cities have been affected by the floods and severe weather. Between Pernambuco and Alagoas, 53,584 people are without shelter, 103,540 are homeless and there are 53 confirmed deaths with 76 people missing in Alagoas. The number of missing in Pernambuco has not been reported.
Between the two states, 31 cities have declared states of emergency, and 27 have decreed states of public calamity.
The Civil Defense of Alagoas has called upon local business people to make trucks available to help distribute donated goods to affected cities.
In an effort to effectively coordinate relief efforts, the Alagoas fire brigade and the state’s civil defense, in conjunction with volunteer groups, have set up a website to list donation and volunteer needs: www.sosalagoas.al.org.br.
In the worst hit cities, rivers are at risk of bursting their banks again. Brazilian civil defense has been evacuating areas in most danger, but many people have still not left their homes. In São Jose da Laje, 1,500 people are stranded in isolated rural areas, now accessible only by air.
In Santana do Mundaú, emergency repair teams are still reconstructing bridges damaged last week.
On Monday, heavy rains poured down on Pernambuco and Alagoas and according to meteorologists, strong winds off the coast are expected to bring heavy rain the rest of the week across northeastern Brazil.
Floods have already left thousands homeless and wreaked havoc in the region. The latest figures from the National Secretariat of Civil Defense report that 95 cities have been affected by the floods and severe weather. Between Pernambuco and Alagoas, 53,584 people are without shelter, 103,540 are homeless and there are 53 confirmed deaths with 76 people missing in Alagoas. The number of missing in Pernambuco has not been reported.
Between the two states, 31 cities have declared states of emergency, and 27 have decreed states of public calamity.
The Civil Defense of Alagoas has called upon local business people to make trucks available to help distribute donated goods to affected cities.
In an effort to effectively coordinate relief efforts, the Alagoas fire brigade and the state’s civil defense, in conjunction with volunteer groups, have set up a website to list donation and volunteer needs: www.sosalagoas.al.org.br.
