Rio Grande do Sul goes on red alert for strong storms until Tuesday

The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) placed the state of Rio Grande do Sul on red alert for storms this Monday (29). According to Inmet forecasts, up to 100 millimeters of rainfall are expected, which could exceed the mark in some regions. The alert is valid until Tuesday (30).

Through monitoring by the state government's Situation Room, this Monday (29), isolated storms were identified in almost the entire state of Rio Grande do Sul. During the morning, light rains with electrical discharges hit the north and northeast of the state. Civil Defense stated that the areas of instability, caused by a cold front, should act in the regions of Missões, Campanha, Center, South, Costa Doce and Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre.

In these regions, volumes can vary from 25mm/day to 40mm/day. In Costa Doce, South and the Campanha region, accumulations can exceed 70mm/day. According to the agency, wind gusts exceeding 60km/h are expected.

Since Sunday (28), some regions have already recorded high volumes of accumulated rain on the border with Uruguay and the north of the state, exceeding 80mm in some cases. The Situation Room alerts you to the level of the Quaraí River, which is above the flood level and continues to rise slowly.

According to meteorological forecasts, the elevation trend is expected to continue in the state's main rivers. As of this Monday (29), 26 municipalities reported damage or some type of disruption as a result of the rain.

In the city of Erechim, in the north of the state, a wall fell on a car, but no one was injured. In Montenegro, in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, five roofing incidents were recorded, in addition to damage to the electrical network and flooding points. In the city of São Leopoldo, also in the metropolitan region, two walls fell, 30 areas were roofed, in addition to flooding and damage to the electrical network.

Of the 26 cities, at least three registered homeless people. In Arroio Grande, five families were removed from their homes preventively, due to the rise of the stream that runs through the city, in total, 18 people were left homeless. In the municipality of Parobé, four houses were hit and left 17 people homeless so far. In Quaraí, four people are in public shelters and 12 are homeless.

Check out the list of municipalities that reported damage:

• Arroio Grande
• Good Jesus
• Lion's Boqueirão
• Erechim
• Estancia Velha
• Guaíba
• Guaporé
• Mato Leitão
• Monte Alegre dos Campos
• Montenegro
• New Hamburg
• Parobé
• Porto Alegre
• Pellets
• Quaraí
• Santa Cruz do Sul
• São Martinho da Serra
• Sao Leopoldo
• Venâncio Aires
• Vera Cruz
• Campinas do Sul
• Baron of Cotegipe
• Cruzaltense
• Dry Herb
• Mariano Moro
• Three Arroios

Next days

The Rio Grande do Sul Situation Room points out that the storms are expected to continue on Tuesday (30), due to an advance of the cold front in the ocean. Rain, strong winds and hail are expected in the Campanha, Center, South, Costa Doce and metropolitan Porto Alegre regions.

Accumulations vary between 30mm/day and 50mm/day, and can exceed 70mm/day in Campanha, South and Costa Doce. The state's Civil Defense reports that wind gusts could exceed 80km/h.

According to the Situation Room, heavy rains due to the cold front in the state are expected to continue until Thursday (2), with greater accumulations in the north and Costa Doce regions.

Rio Grande do Sul Civil Defense advises the population to stay safe during the rains. It is also recommended that you unplug electronics and close doors and windows tightly during storms. The agency highlights the importance of seeking shelter and not crossing floods on foot or by car.