Two children die during storm in Bahia.
Deaths occurred in the municipality of Elísio Medrado after a car was swept away by the current of the Paraguaçu River. The state government is still counting the displaced and homeless.
By Mariana Tokarnia, reporter for Agência Brasil - The Superintendence of Protection and Civil Defense of Bahia (Sudec) confirmed this Saturday (27) the death of two children as a result of the heavy rains that hit the state. So far, nine municipalities are in a state of emergency. The state government is still counting the displaced and homeless.
According to the agency, the deaths occurred in the municipality of Elísio Medrado, after the car carrying five people was swept away by the current of the Paraguaçu River. The municipalities that are in a state of emergency due to the rains are: Brumado, Medeiros Neto, Cícero Dantas, São Miguel das Matas, Anagé, Wanderley, Ilhéus, Cravolândia, and Muquém do São Francisco. >>> READ ALSO: Heavy rains threaten Bahia, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro.
"The Superintendency of Civil Protection and Defense of Bahia (Sudec) informs that it is monitoring the municipalities in Bahia affected by the heavy rains of the last few hours and developing immediate response actions in order to minimize the impacts suffered by the affected populations," says Sudec in a statement. publication on the social networks.
Sudec also reports that it is providing technical support to the municipalities and that humanitarian aid kits, containing basic food baskets, bottled water, hygiene and cleaning supplies, mattresses and blankets, are being prepared for distribution to the affected areas.
GUIDELINES - The public is advised that, in case of heavy rain and strong winds, they should not take shelter under trees, as there is a risk of falling branches and electrical discharges, and should not park vehicles near transmission towers and billboards. If possible, turn off electrical appliances and the main power switch.
According to the mayor of Wanderley, one of the cities in a state of emergency, Fernanda Teles, in the early hours of Thursday (25) to Friday (26), the municipality recorded a rainfall volume of almost 400 millimeters in less than 24 hours. The city hall advises people to leave risk areas and take shelter in schools, churches and other support points that are being set up. “Our biggest concern is saving lives. We can get back to material goods later, we will start over, we will rebuild little by little,” she said, in a post on social media.
Salvador's Civil Defense also published guidelines on social media. "If you are on the street, the advice is to keep your distance from power lines, seek shelter, do not stand under trees, park your car in a safe place and wait for better conditions, and in case of flooding, wait for the water to recede before moving."
If a person is at home and the water level is rising, "seek a safe place and in case of a landslide or crack, leave the house immediately. Do not use electrical appliances that have gotten wet and turn off the circuit breakers." In case of emergency, the advice is to call 199 to receive instructions on how to proceed.
According to the National Institute of Meteorology, most of Bahia is in the danger zone this Saturday (27) due to heavy rains.