Flood in Rio Grande do Sul: mayor asks for help to rescue 15 trapped

Amilton Fontana (MDB), mayor of Roca Sales, in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul, said on Friday night (3), that around 15 people are trapped in the city, one of the most affected by the rains.

The municipality, with around 11,500 inhabitants, faces difficulties in communication, access to basic services and a lack of relief equipment to assist the victims.

The state is facing its worst climate disaster, with 39 dead and 68 missing. Several areas were isolated, with land access and even rescue by aircraft difficult. The failure of dams – such as a structure near Bento Gonçalves – also threatens municipalities in several regions of Rio Grande do Sul.

“This information was passed on by neighbors. There are people in Três Pinheiros, Pinheirinho, Serrinha, who are buried and we need to rescue them”, highlighted Fontana, in a city hall post on Instagram.

Fontana says he managed to send the audio after traveling by boat to the city of Encantado and accessing an internet point.

“Roca Sales is experiencing chaos. Roca Sales was practically destroyed again. I think that, of the floods, it was the one that most destroyed the municipality. We can't go anywhere. We have to go by boat. The situation is very complicated, very difficult,” she said.

The manager also reinforced the need for air support to search for missing people in rural areas, water and food for people affected by the flood.

The municipality faces severe consequences from the flooding of the Taquari River, which resulted in the destruction of homes, commercial establishments and access roads. Throughout the week, the headquarters of the crisis office was hit by water. According to the mayor, another crisis office will be created.