Flooding in Brazil and its tragic consequences

At the end of April, Brazil faced one of the most devastating floods in its history. The cataclysm mainly affected the state of Rio Grande do Sul, located in the south of the country. Heavy rains that began less than two weeks ago intensified on April 29, leading to tragic consequences. As a result of heavy rainfall, the level of the Brazilian province’s major rivers has risen sharply, leading to massive floodplains. Flooding in Brazil, in this part of the country, is a common occurrence, but authorities and residents do not remember destruction on this scale.

Tragic balance of floods

So far, at least 100 people have been confirmed dead, and 132 are considered missing. 155,000 remain homeless. individuals. Residents of the threatened regions are seeking shelter on the surrounding hills and rooftops of surviving buildings. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva described the situation as a “climate tragedy” and assured that the government is working hard to provide the necessary livelihoods for those affected. The flooding destroyed a lot of infrastructure – roads, bridges, and partially the dam and hydroelectric plant on the Taquari River. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for some neighborhoods in the state capital, Porto Alegre, where the level of the Guaiba River has risen above 5 meters. That’s more than during the historic 1941 flood.

El Niño and its impact on flooding in Brazil

El Niño is a climatic phenomenon that may have influenced the occurrence of heavy rainfall in Brazil. The El Niño weather phenomenon involves the persistence of above-average surface temperatures in the Pacific equatorial zone. This is a result of the weakening of the easterly trade winds and the inhibition of upwelling, i.e. the lifting of cool deep water towards the ocean surface. During El Niño, the trade winds weaken over the central and western Pacific, leading to an increase in ocean surface water temperature and humidity in the west coast region of South America. This changes the atmospheric pattern and can cause intense, often catastrophic rainfall in the Andes, while reducing rainfall over Southeast Asia and northern Australia, resulting in droughts in those areas.

Along the west coast of South America, normally the trade winds promote the upwelling of cool, nutrient-rich water layers, which is beneficial to schools of fish and birds. However, the inhibition of upwelling during El Niño causes warm, nutrient-poor water to replace cool waters, negatively affecting the fishing industry and the production of guano (a valuable natural fertilizer).

El Nino has a major impact on marine ecosystems. Sudden warming of Pacific waters can lead to massive coral depletion, reduction of plankton and changes in the distribution of fish species. This in turn affects the food chain and can negatively impact fisheries. The ongoing El Niño unfolded in June 2023 and reached its greatest strength between October 2023 and January 2024. The Pacific surface temperature at its hottest point was about 2 degrees Celsius higher than the 1991-2020 average. The phenomenon has had a particularly strong impact on the weather in South America in recent weeks, contributing to flooding in Brazil.

Domestic and international support

Only two of the six water treatment plants in the state of Rio Grande do Sul are operating, and hospitals and shelters are supplied by tanker trucks. Other Brazilian states and neighboring countries such as Uruguay, Argentina and Venezuela have pledged material aid to the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Central collection points for humanitarian aid from around the country have been organized at Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo airports. About 15,000. Soldiers, firefighters, police officers and volunteers rescue stranded people, deliver essential items as well as medicine, water and food.

President Lula deplored the spread of false information about the government’s allegedly helpless attitude toward the tragedy. He addressed words of appreciation to the thousands of Brazilians who volunteer to help victims of the natural disaster and reminded them of the power of nature. The leader appealed for international support. The local community and the Polish community in Brazil have been deeply affected by the disaster. Many people have lost all their possessions of life, and the reconstruction of the region will require considerable financial resources.

The effects of the floods will be felt for a long time. As one of the world’s largest countries, Brazil has an important role to play in the global fight against climate change. The actions taken by the government in response to the floods are a step in the right direction, but a global commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation is needed.