ON Tuesday, officials said at least 21 have died from the Extratropical Cyclone that battered Southern Brazil, particularly in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Among those who died included a man killed by an electrical shock in the town of Passo Fundo and a couple whose car was swept away by a river as they tried to cross a bridge in the town of Ibiraiaras.
In addition to the 21 fatalities, reports say one death was also confirmed in the neighboring state of Santa Catarina.
Authorities said the state of Rio Grande do Sul saw hail and more than 300 millimeters or almost 12 inches of rain in less than 24 hours.
Since the severe weather began Monday, reports say thousands have been displaced and the city hall at Mucum recommended that residents seek out supplies to meet their needs for the next 72 hours as authorities warn more flooding is possible with more rain forecast from Thursday.
Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite said that about 60 cities were affected by the storm and Mucum City Mayor Mateus Trojan said,
“There are still people missing. The death toll might climb higher,” according to Mateus Trojan, Mayor of Mucum City.
However, President Lula da Silva said the federal government is ready to help.
Currently, many of those affected are still without contact.
It can be noted that around 10 million of Brazil’s 203 million population are at risk of landslides or flooding due to the areas they live in.
