In the face of heavy rains that hit Bahia, the municipality of Itajuípe, in the south of the state, has more than 800 homeless families and a crisis in the supply of drinking water. In an interview with CNN, Mayor Marcone Amaral (PSD) also stated that the city of 21,000 inhabitants needs immediate support.
“Right now we are experiencing chaos related to water supply. We have more than 24 hours without a potable water supply due to the rains and that is why the population is really in a state of public calamity”, said the mayor.
According to Amaral, the city is already in contact with the state and federal government to provide assistance as quickly as possible, however, there needs to be “greater agility” to help the population.
“We are asking for help from the state government, help from the federal government, because Itajuípe is a small city, a poor city and 70% of the city was hit by the rains, bringing the biggest crisis in history.”
According to the mayor, 14 shelters were opened and structured with mats, hygiene materials and the provision of breakfast, lunch and dinner. The city government estimates that more than 1,500 people from around 800 families are being assisted at the reception points.
Most of the city is without communication and without electricity, and, as Amaral commented, the city hall is unable to provide extensive assistance to all the inhabitants affected by the floods.
“If there is no immediate supply support, we are not aware of the chaos that can happen here in the city”, warned the mayor.
The region of Itajuípe, which is known for its cocoa production, had the rural area heavily affected by storms. Amaral claims that the loss of rural producers is “incalculable”.
According to the mayor, access to the city by land is still possible. However, the bridge connecting Itajuípe to three other municipalities — Coaraci, Almadina and Itapitanga — is impassable.
Across the state, the large volume of rain that hits Bahia has already caused the death of 20 people and left more than 31.4 thousand homeless, 31,300 homeless, in addition to 358 injured. The state government estimates that those affected in some way by the floods already reach 471,000.
There are already 100 municipalities in Bahia in a state of emergency and, according to Governor Rui Costa (PT) he told CNN, “this is the biggest natural disaster in the history of Bahia”.
See the damage caused by the rains in Bahia
Reference: CNN Brasil
