At least 91 people have been confirmed dead and 26 still missing by authorities in Northeastern Brazil’s Pernambuco following flooding over the weekend.
Experts say climate change contributes to more intense rainfall even as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has classified Recife’s metropolitan region as one of the world’s most vulnerable cities.
Brazil’s President, Jair Bolsonaro was reported to have flown over the affected area of Pernambuco’s capital, Recife and neighbouring Jaboatao dos Guararapes where he said that landing in the helicopter was not possible due to the soaked soil.
Bolsonaro was also quoted as saying that the country has recently experienced similar disasters in the mountains above Rio de Janeiro, in southern Bahia state and in Minas Gerais state.
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“Unfortunately, these catastrophes happen in a continent-sized country,” he said. “We’re all obviously sad,” he said. “We express our sympathy to family members. Our bigger objective is to comfort families and, with material means, attend to the population.”
Responding, the minister of regional development, Daniel Ferreira said that the government was moving to make funds available to municipalities that have declared a state of emergency.
Ferreira also highlighted a new credit line available to cities afflicted by such disasters.
Story was adapted from South China Morning Post.
