Rio Uruguai flooding threatens cities in Rio Grande do Sul

The Rio Uruguai basin is facing significant flood risks in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. According to the Geological Survey of Brazil (SGB), the cities of Itaqui and Uruguaiana are seeing rising river levels, while São Borja shows a declining trend. Other municipalities, including Otacílio Costa, Iraí, Itapiranga, and Manoel Viana, are under various levels of hydrological alerts.

In Uruguaiana, the river reached a mark of 10.01 meters, rising at a rate of approximately 1 centimeter per hour. Local authorities report that 211 people have been forced from their homes due to the rising waters, consisting of 38 homeless individuals and 173 displaced persons. The municipal government has opened two shelters at the Zona Leste and Nova Esperança sports centers to provide food and social support to those affected.

Regional weather forecasts indicate continued instability in southern Brazil, with moisture expected to bring intense rain showers to parts of Rio Grande do Sul. Coastal areas, particularly between Rio Grande, Mostardas, and Torres, are on alert for wind gusts reaching up to 70 km/h.