Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre launch major flood protection works

Major infrastructure projects to combat flooding have been launched or authorized in Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre.

In Rio de Janeiro, the municipal government has begun works in the Rio Acari Basin in the North Zone. The first phase includes reinforcing riverbanks in Jardim América with 740 meters of containment walls made of stone and concrete, and improving water flow at the junction of the Acari and Pavuna rivers. This initiative follows the removal of approximately 143,000 tons of waste from the riverbed since November.

In Porto Alegre, authorities have received authorization to execute a definitive flood protection project for polders 7 and 8, located between the Anchieta and Sarandi neighborhoods. Estimated at R$ 300 million, the project involves constructing two new rainwater pumping stations, widening the Passo das Pedras and Areia stream channels, and reconstructing dikes. The works are funded by the Infrastructure Support Fund for Recovery and Adaptation to Extreme Climatic Events.