Rain wrecks havoc in south Brazil; ​death toll keep rising

The toll from floods and mudslides triggered by heavy storms in southern Brazil rose to 39 on Friday, officials confirmed, with concerns mounting over the situation's severity. (Image credit: AP )

In Rio Grande do Sul, rising water levels posed a threat to dams and put the city of Porto Alegre at risk of "unprecedented" flooding, authorities cautioned. As the rain persisted, rescue teams continued efforts to locate numerous missing individuals amidst the wreckage of collapsed infrastructure.(Image credit: AP )

Governor Eduardo Leite issued a sobering statement urging residents to brace for worsening conditions, particularly in the metropolitan area. The capital city, home to approximately 1.5 million people, witnessed flooding as a result of prolonged heavy rainfall.(Image credit: AP )

The crisis extended to dam safety, with officials highlighting four dams in a state of emergency, at risk of collapse. As the rain persisted, rescue teams continued efforts to locate numerous missing individuals amidst the wreckage of collapsed infrastructure.(Image credit: Reuters )

The state's civil defense department reported storm damage across 265 municipalities since Monday, with 74 injuries and over 24,000 displacements, a third of whom have sought refuge in shelters. Additionally, 68 individuals were reported missing, and over 350,000 experienced property damage.(Image credit: Reuters)

Elsewhere in the state, communities found themselves isolated, lacking basic amenities like drinking water, telecommunications, and electricity. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the affected region, pledging comprehensive support in response to the disaster, which he attributed to climate change. (Image credit: AP)

​The federal government dispatched resources, including aircraft, boats, and over 600 soldiers, to assist in relief efforts such as clearing roads, distributing essential supplies, and establishing shelters. School closures were implemented statewide. (Image credit: AP )

The level of the Guiaba River surged significantly, rendering measurement impossible as gauges were swept away, stated the mayor of Porto Alegre. Authorities raced to fortify flood defenses as water levels continued to rise. (Image credit: AP )