[ Video Courtesy of NTDTV ]
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called for a meeting of the crisis cabinet on Tuesday to deal with severe flooding in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco.
The states, in northeastern Brazil, were struck by massive floods caused by storms in the Zona da Mata region last week, with the heaviest rains on Saturday. At least 42 cities have been devastated, leaving about 80,000 people homeless and 40,000 buildings completely flooded.
The governor of Alagoas, Teotonio Vilela Filho, decreed a state of public emergency on Sunday and traveled to the capital of Brasilia Monday afternoon for talks with the president on the release of funds to help the victims.
“By early afternoon [on Monday], there were 22 deaths and over a thousand people missing. We are praying that they are alive. But we are very concerned because the bodies are starting to appear on beaches and rivers,” the governor told local press Monday afternoon.
The city of Rio Largo, cut by the Mundaú river, was one of the hardest hit. According to the municipality, about 3,000 homes located near the river were completely destroyed by the flood. Thirty people are missing and more than 15,000 evacuees are being housed in public schools, gyms, and homes of relatives.
The army, air force, and navy in Alagoas have deployed troops to help rescue flood victims. Forest police and civilian volunteers are also working in the hardest-hit places. Six helicopters are being used to rescue stranded people. In some cities, people can only get around by boat.
The states, in northeastern Brazil, were struck by massive floods caused by storms in the Zona da Mata region last week, with the heaviest rains on Saturday. At least 42 cities have been devastated, leaving about 80,000 people homeless and 40,000 buildings completely flooded.
The governor of Alagoas, Teotonio Vilela Filho, decreed a state of public emergency on Sunday and traveled to the capital of Brasilia Monday afternoon for talks with the president on the release of funds to help the victims.
“By early afternoon [on Monday], there were 22 deaths and over a thousand people missing. We are praying that they are alive. But we are very concerned because the bodies are starting to appear on beaches and rivers,” the governor told local press Monday afternoon.
The city of Rio Largo, cut by the Mundaú river, was one of the hardest hit. According to the municipality, about 3,000 homes located near the river were completely destroyed by the flood. Thirty people are missing and more than 15,000 evacuees are being housed in public schools, gyms, and homes of relatives.
The army, air force, and navy in Alagoas have deployed troops to help rescue flood victims. Forest police and civilian volunteers are also working in the hardest-hit places. Six helicopters are being used to rescue stranded people. In some cities, people can only get around by boat.
