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Brazil floods leave 150,000 homeless, scores dead or missing

REUTERS
Thursday, May 09, 2024

ELDORADO DO SUL, Brazil: Rescuers rushed to evacuate people stranded by devastating floods across the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul on Wednesday, with at least 100 dead, thousands left homeless, and desperate survivors seeking food and basic supplies.

On the outskirts of Eldorado do Sul, 17-km from the state capital of Porto Alegre, many people were sleeping on the roadside and told Reuters they were going hungry. Entire families were leaving on foot, carrying belongings in backpacks and shopping carts.

“We’ve been without food for three days and we’ve only just got this blanket. I’m with people I don’t even know, I don’t know where my family is,” said a young man who gave his name as Ricardo Junior.

The flooding has hampered rescue efforts, with dozens of people still waiting to be evacuated by boat or helicopter from stricken homes. Small boats crisscrossed the flooded town searching for survivors.