In photos: At least 39 dead as historic flooding hits southern Brazil
Americas
Floods in southern Brazil killed at least 39 people as heavy rainfall brought historic amounts of water to the state of Rio Grande do Sul, according to local authorities. At least 68 others are missing.
Carlos Macedo/AP
In the state capital, Porto Alegre, water levels rose to 4.88 meters (16 feet) — the highest observed since 1941, according to the prefectural government. The state’s civil defense agency also reported that a dam at a hydropower plant in the Cotiporã municipality had partially collapsed. Water from the dam completely overwhelmed nearby cities, the Associated Press reported.
Carlos Macedo/AP
May 3 | Eldorado do Sul, Brazil
Floodwaters overtake the streets.
Anselmo Cunha/AFP/Getty Images
Anselmo Cunha/AFP/Getty Images
May 3 | Porto Alegre, Brazil
A man wades through a flooded section of the city.
Carlos Macedo/AP
Carlos Macedo/AP
May 3 | Porto Alegre, Brazil
Residents of coastal islands near the shore of Lake Guaíba carry their belongings after being rescued.
Isaac Fontana/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Isaac Fontana/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
May 2 | Encantado, Brazil
A woman carries two rescued cats.
Diego Vara/Reuters
Diego Vara/Reuters
May 3 | Porto Alegre, Brazil
People and a dog are rescued from the islands of Lake Guaíba.
Isaac Fontana/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Isaac Fontana/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
May 1 | Encantado, Brazil
Houses next to the Taquari River are submerged by floodwaters.
Diego Vara/Reuters
Diego Vara/Reuters
May 1 | Sinimbu, Brazil
A house partially destroyed by heavy rains.
Anselmo Cunha/AFP/Getty Images
Anselmo Cunha/AFP/Getty Images
May 3 | Eldorado do Sul, Brazil
A resident climbs a rescue truck.
Anselmo Cunha/AFP/Getty Images
Anselmo Cunha/AFP/Getty Images
May 3 | Encantado, Brazil
A woman walks through mud as she tries to get to her house.
Diego Vara/Reuters
Diego Vara/Reuters
May 2 | Lajeado, Brazil
Two men are rescued by military firefighters.
Jeff Botega/Agencia RBS/Reuters
Jeff Botega/Agencia RBS/Reuters
May 3 | Porto Alegre, Brazil
People throw bags across a puddle as they evacuate flooded areas.
Carlos Macedo/AP
Carlos Macedo/AP
May 3 | Encantado, Brazil
Vehicles covered in mud.
Diego Vara/Reuters
Diego Vara/Reuters
May 3 | Porto Alegre, Brazil
Horses wade through a flooded beach along the Jacui River.
Isaac Fontana/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Isaac Fontana/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
May 3 | Porto Alegre, Brazil
People and their pets are rescued from the flooding.
Renan Mattos/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Renan Mattos/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
May 3 | Porto Alegre, Brazil
Residents are rescued by the Brazilian army.
Isaac Fontana/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Isaac Fontana/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
May 3 | Encantado, Brazil
Displaced people take shelter in a public facility.
Diego Vara/Reuters
Diego Vara/Reuters
May 3 | Encantado, Brazil
A displaced person rests at a shelter.
Diego Vara/Reuters
Diego Vara/Reuters
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Photo editing and production by Jintak Han