Warning for Aussies as southern Brazil ravaged by deadly floods
More than 100 people have died in these devastating floods with a warning issued for Australian travellers.
Southern Brazil has been ravaged by floods with the death toll surpassing 100 people.
It has been described as the worst natural disaster ever to hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul, with hundreds of people injured and more than 160,000 forced from their homes. Searches for missing people continue to be affected by wild weather.
The Australian government has warned travellers there is damage to infrastructure and essential services, transport may be disrupted and a state of emergency has been declared in some cities.
“If you’re in an affected area, follow the advice of local authorities and monitor the media for updates,” the Australian government’s Smartraveller website states.
The advice level for Brazil is to exercise a high degree of caution overall “due to the threat of violent crime”.
The Salgado Filho International Airport in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul state, is closed and it is not known when operations will resume.
The Air Force said the military base outside town will receive commercial flights transporting aid and passengers.
The devastating weather is far from over; the Inmet meteorological institute has warned of more storms with heavy rains and winds in the south of the state and downpours over the weekend in the Porto Alegre region.
Compare the Market’s manager of general insurance Adrian Taylor warns Australian travellers that most travel insurance providers will only cover natural disaster-related losses if the policy was taken out before it becomes a known event, which the floods now are.
“If you’re on your way to Brazil or you’re already there and don’t yet have travel insurance, it’s likely going to be too late to take out cover,” he said.
For those with travel insurance, Mr Taylor advises: “If people are in a safe place, the next best thing to do would be to contact their travel insurance provider if they are in need of further assistance, whether it be for cancellation of pre-booked activities or securing emergency accommodation or earlier flights out of the country where needed.
“For those Australians planning to head to southern Brazil, it is worth reconsidering whether you should travel now, or delay your trip.
“Financial relief may be available to those who purchased travel insurance prior to this event happening. This could come in the form of refunds for flights and accommodation or could cover the costs related to transferring flights and accommodation to later in the year.”
Brett Mitchell, the Australian managing director for Melbourne-based travel company Intrepid Travel, said travel was extremely difficult in some areas and tourists should stay informed, prepared and be cautious.
“Have a contingency plan in place in case of flooding or other travel disruptions,” he told news.com.au.
“Know alternative routes, emergency contacts, and the location of the nearest embassy or consulate.
“Be prepared for changes to your travel itinerary – flights, trains, and roads may be affected, so remain flexible and patient while navigating through any disruptions.”
Mr Mitchell said travellers should consider visiting alternative destinations than those impacted by extreme flooding and heavy rains.
“Heed the advice and instructions of local authorities,” he said. “If they advise against travelling to certain areas or recommend evacuation, you must comply for your safety.”
Intrepid Travel runs tours in Brazil but not in the areas affected by the floods, so they have had no impact to their itineraries.
The devastation in Rio Grande do Sul
Many people in Rio Grande do Sul have no access to drinking water or electricity – or even the means to call for help, with telephone and internet services down in many places.
Porto Alegre is home to about 1.4 million people and the larger metropolitan area has more than double that number.
In Gasometro, a part of Porto Alegre popular with tourists, the water continued to rise Wednesday, complicating rescue efforts.
“You can only cross on foot or by boat. There is no other way,” 30-year-old resident Luan Pas told AFP next to a street turned into a stagnant, smelly river.
On Tuesday, state governor Eduardo Leite had warned the human toll was likely to rise as “the emergency is continuing to develop” in Porto Alegre and other cities and towns.
Some 15,000 soldiers, firefighters, police and volunteers were at work across the state, many in boats and jet skis, to rescue those trapped and transport aid.
But in Porto Alegre the rains returned on Wednesday, halting evacuation efforts.
The mayor’s office urged rescue boats to suspend their activities, citing the risk of electric shocks from lightning and strong winds of over 80 kilometres per hour.
Authorities urged people not to return to affected areas due to possible landslide and health hazards.
“Contaminated water can transmit diseases,” civil defence spokeswoman Sabrina Ribas warned on Wednesday.
Many people have been loath to leave their homes for the safety of shelters amid reports of abandoned properties being looted.
The National Confederation of Municipalities said about 61,000 homes – down from an earlier estimate of 100,000 – had been damaged or destroyed by unprecedented rains and floods in the state, with losses estimated at about 6.3 billion reais (some $1.9 billion).
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Damage to schools, hospitals and municipal buildings amounted to about $105 million.
The state’s Guaiba River, which runs through Porto Alegre, reached historic levels and five dams are at risk of rupturing, with two of them in “imminent” danger.
– with AFP
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