After the heavy rains that hit Rio Grande do Sul, river levels remain high at historic levels.
A CNN Franco Buffon, hydrology manager at the Geological Survey of Brazil, said that the situation should remain critical for the next few days.
Prolonged stabilization
Buffon explained that, based on the volume of water that fell in the basins that cover the Porto Alegre region and the Guaíba River, it is estimated that the levels will take at least two or three days to begin to stabilize.
“There is still a contribution, there is still water flowing down the basins of the Jacuí River and the Gravataí River, and the Rio dos Sinos itself, which are very full,” he stated.
Even after stabilization, the reduction in levels may be slow, taking one or two weeks. This occurs because the region is quite flat, which reduces the speed at which water flows.
“The shorter the time horizon, the more accurate it is,” explained Buffon about meteorological projections.
Prevention actions
The expert highlighted that, although small local actions are not capable of reducing the advance of water in an event of this magnitude, they can contribute to mitigating damage within municipalities.
Among the measures mentioned are avoiding throwing garbage or debris into drains; do not build close to riverbeds and slopes; and do not discharge sewage into risk areas.
“In the face of a tragedy of this magnitude, we could expect many more lives to be lost,” said Buffon, praising the work of state and municipal civil defenses in trying to save lives and protect the population.
Source: CNN Brasil
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