Espírito Santo now has 6 dead and 45 injured.
With a state of emergency declared in 45 of its 78 municipalities since last Saturday, Espírito Santo has been severely affected by heavy rains that have been hitting the region for seven days, causing six deaths, leaving 45 injured, and more than 40 homeless or displaced.
Nielmar de Oliveira
Reporter from Agência Brasil
Rio de Janeiro - With a state of emergency declared in 45 of its 78 municipalities since last Saturday, Espírito Santo has been severely affected by heavy rains that have been hitting the region for seven days, causing six deaths, leaving 45 injured, and more than 40 homeless or displaced.
In interview with Agency BrazilThe state coordinator of Civil Defense, Colonel Marcelo D'Isep, admitted that there are hundreds of people isolated or stranded, mainly in the north and northwest of the state, the most affected region.
“But the forecast is for heavy rain to continue throughout the week. The rain, which initially battered the north and northwest of the state, has already moved down to the metropolitan region, reaching the mountainous area and is beginning to head towards the southern region. Just over an hour ago, it also rained heavily in Cachoeiro do Itapemirim – one of the most important cities in the state,” said the colonel.
According to D'Isep, approximately 700 men, including 72 from the National Security Force, will work continuously for the next few days, including Christmas, to assist the victims of the rains. "The main concern now is with the people who are still isolated and stranded in the most affected municipalities. There is a need to provide humanitarian assistance, supply food, drinking water, etc." kits hygiene facilities and makeshift shelters in various municipalities across the state.
Governor Renato Casagrande held a meeting with several secretariats that make up the cabinet responsible for monitoring actions taken in relation to the heavy rains and to mitigate the consequences caused by them.
In addition to state secretaries, representatives from federal agencies in the state that organize the deployment of support forces to municipalities during Christmas participated in the meeting.
The information given to Agency Brazil Reports indicate that in Greater Vitória, 130 millimeters of rain fell in the last 24 hours, causing the collapse of at least five houses, in addition to landslides, mainly in the mountainous region where the rain moved.