“Almost war-like,” Brazilian president says after a flight over Petrópolis

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL -President Jair Bolsonaro flew today (18th) over the areas affected by the storms that claimed 123 lives in Petrópolis, assessing the scenario that he classified as almost war-like.

The president, accompanied by ministers and state and municipal authorities, gave a press conference in which he announced measures to help the population.

Bolsonaro pointed out that in the budget there are preventive measures for disasters, but in the case of emergencies, the measures are different, and the government will do its part.

Regional Development Minister Rogério Marinho pointed out that the amount of rainfall that has hit the city is atypical and one of the largest in 90 years.

The minister affirmed that next week the federal government will issue a new provisional measure to support areas affected by natural disasters, amounting to R$500 (US$96) million.

Marinho pointed out that since November, the government has already released R$2 billion in funds for areas affected by climate disasters.

In the case of Petrópolis, the first work plan included the release of R$2 million from the federal government for food packages, cleaning work, and clearing the streets.

The governor of Rio de Janeiro, Cláudio Castro, recalled that he had the support of the federal government and the armed forces since the first day of the tragedy and said that the rescue work must be carried out carefully because there are still places where the ground is unstable.

ARMED FORCES

The Minister of Defense, General Braga Netto, informed that about 820 members of the armed forces are active in the area.

“The Joint Eastern Command has been deployed to the region. The Navy has already provided personnel, a field hospital, and various resources; the Air Force has established air traffic control due to the number of aircraft; the Army has sent troops, vehicles, and personnel to assist the suffering population.”

Garrisons from nearby cities such as Juiz de Fora and Rio de Janeiro have been deployed; we have requested engineering and construction experts to make the necessary arrangements in the landslide areas.”

The mayor of Petrópolis, Rubens Bontempo, reported that the city government continues to search for victims and is working to clear the main roads, restore mobility to the city and ensure the resumption of essential services such as electricity, garbage collection and transportation.