Authorities have reported that more than a million people in Brazil’s southern region do not have access to clean drinking water. Nearly 90,000 individuals have been forced to evacuate their homes as a result of flooding, mudslides, and heavy rainfall, according to the country’s civil protection authorities. The floods have resulted in the deaths of at least 70 people, with over a hundred individuals still missing.

Those who have been displaced by the flooding have sought refuge in shelters set up in various locations such as sports centers, schools, and other facilities. Tragically, in addition to those who lost their lives due to the floods, two individuals also died in an explosion at a flooded gas station in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul.

Forecasters predict that water levels will continue to rise on Monday as the rains persist. Water levels have rapidly increased in Rio Grande do Sul, causing severe strain on dams, leading to overwhelming flooding in Porto Alegre. The city of 1.4 million residents is facing a critical shortage of drinking water, with 70% of the population affected.

Residential areas have been submerged, roads destroyed, and bridges swept away due to the powerful currents of floodwater. Many people in Porto Alegre have taken to rooftops to await rescue, while others navigate flooded streets in canoes and small boats. Over 300 other cities and villages are also grappling with the devastating impact of the floods.

Governor Eduardo Leite of Rio Grande do Sul has acknowledged that significant investments will be needed for the post-disaster recovery efforts. Porto Alegre International Airport has been forced to suspend all flights indefinitely. Environmental scientist Francisco Eliseu Aquino attributes the destructive storms to global warming and the El Nino weather phenomenon, warning of the increased frequency of extreme weather events in Brazil.