Heavy rains: Brazil’s Alagoas state has six deaths and 56,000 homeless and displaced

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – At least six people died, and 56,000 are homeless or displaced because of the recent heavy rains in Alagoas. The balance is from the state Civil Defense on Monday, July 4.

According to the agency, 56 of the 102 municipalities in Alagoas are in a situation of emergency. It is the largest volume of rainfall recorded in the northeastern state since 2010.

The intense amount of precipitation has hit the territory since May, resulting in several rivers flooding. The federal government had already recognized the emergency for 23 localities but added 15 more in the condition.

These cities can request resources from the Union for relief and humanitarian assistance.

In June, the deaths were registered in Coruripe, Palmeira dos Índios, Campo Alegre, and São Miguel dos Campos. This month, deaths were recorded in União dos Palmares and Matriz de Camaragibe. One in each city.

On Twitter, the governor Paulo Dantas (MDB) updates the joint actions taken with the committee installed to address the crisis. On Monday morning, the head of the executive branch of Alagoas announced the expansion of the relief package to R$2,000 (US$373). In addition to basic food baskets, personal hygiene kits, drinking water, and mattresses.

In the city of União dos Palmares, one of the main cities of Alagoas, the water and electricity supply has been interrupted since Saturday. Mayor Kil suspended the 32nd edition of the corn festival scheduled for the weekend.

In the coastal town of Atalaia, the Paraíba do Meio river overflowed on Saturday, July 2. On Monday, the town mayor announced the repair actions. “The damage is still being accounted for, and we will need everyone’s unity. Our teams are going house to house, registering with photos and reports of all the situations we face.”

Governor Paulo Dantas authorized the use of state schools in the Vergel region to receive the homeless at the request of the city hall of Maceió, the capital of Alagoas.

On Monday, the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) issued a warning for 51 cities in the state.

According to the federal agency, the state may register precipitation between 30 to 60 mm/h or 50 to 100 mm on Tuesday. The amount brings a risk of flooding, landslides, and overflowing rivers, in cities with such risk areas. The guidance applies to the east and west of Alagoas.

SUPPORT FROM THE UNION

Alagoas received this year about R$20 million to invest in natural disaster response actions, according to the Ministry of Regional Development. The head of the ministry, Daniel Ferreira, and the head of Citizenship, Ronaldo Bento, visited the state on Monday.

Bento, according to Agência Brasil, informed that the federal government should anticipate the payment of the continuous benefit (BPC) to 112,000 families in Alagoas.

Servers from the Ministry of Health, members of the Armed Forces, and the Federal Highway Police (PRF) have been mobilized to help state agencies provide relief and humanitarian assistance to those affected.

More than 200 Fire Department and Civil Defense members are working in the relief and assistance to the population, in addition to the use of 3 aircraft.

A technical team from the Ministry of Citizenship, responsible for coordinating the Unified System of Social Assistance, has also been sent to the state to help manage temporary housing for homeless families and purchase basic supplies.

Last night, the Federal Highway Police (PRF) reported a blockade on four highways: BR-316, BR-104, BR-101, and BR-416. Interstate traffic has been hampered.

With information from Estadão

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