After weeks of heavy rain, two dams ruptured in northeastern Brazil, moving thousands

After weeks of heavy rain, two dams broke down in northeastern Bahia, Brazil, over the weekend, affecting thousands of families displaced.

The Iguadam on the Verga River near the city of Vitoria da Conquista in southern Bahia collapsed on Saturday night, forcing residents to evacuate primarily from the town of Itambe.

On Sunday morning, rising water levels in Jusiape, 100 kilometers north, broke the second dam, and authorities warned locals to seek safety.

Both Jussiape and Itambe city governments have urged residents to move to safer locations.

“It’s immediately expected that flash floods will have a tremendous impact as dams with large amounts of water are broken. All residents need to urgently evacuate from the banks of the Verga River,” Instagram said. The city’s message states.

The Bahia State Government Press Bahia’s military fire department confirmed 18 deaths as a result of heavy rains, but said at least 50 cities had been affected since early November.Said more than that 16.000 people are homeless As a result of the flood, 19,580 people were evacuated and two were missing.

“At this first moment, we are working to save people and keep them from being isolated by boat from the top of the house,” Bahia Governor Rui Costa visited the disaster area on Sunday. Told to. Authorities are expanding care services and support to the city, distributing food, mattresses and warm clothing, Costa said.

On Monday, the Governor’s helicopter will bring water, food and medicine to the completely isolated municipality of Itapitanga, Bahia. Costa’s office said.. To assist in responding to disasters, a government task force has also been set up in heavily damaged areas, consisting of military firefighters and police.

Infrastructure in the surrounding area has been affected by the dam failure, bridges and roads have been damaged and closed, and many landslides have been reported.

Floods affect about 30 cities across the state of Bahia, affected by municipalities of Ibikarai, Itapetinga, Itapetinga, Koalashi, Kamam, Canavieiras, Igrapiuna, Itakare, Marau, Una, Ursaka, Itambe, Itoróro, Itapetinga and Akativa. Officials said it had received. Most severely damaged.

“It’s a huge tragedy. In the history of Bahia these days, I don’t remember if there’s anything in that proportion because of the number of cities and houses involved. It’s really scary. Houses, Streets, the number of places is completely underwater, “Costa said.

Brazil’s National Meteorological Research Institute (Inmet) and National Natural Disaster Monitoring and Warning Center (Cemaden) have warned that rainfall accumulated over the past few years poses a risk of new floods and landslides in Bahia. Agencia Brazil.

Rainfall in December in Salvador, the capital of Bahia, was six times the average. Reuters report.

Heavy rain La Niña Meteorological Phenomenon, Has continued since last year. During the La Niña phenomenon, which usually occurs every 3 to 5 years, the temperature of the Pacific Ocean is lower than usual. The opposite is true if Ernino is warm, which can have a significant impact on the world’s climate.

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Katabella Roberts is a reporter currently based in Turkey. She focuses primarily on the United States and covers the news and business of The Epoch Times.