BLUMENAU, BRAZIL (BDCi) –Santa Catarina is facing one of the worst rain seasons of all times. The entire state is suffering with the bad weather, and the damages are increasing every hour. A state of emergency has already been declared in one of its cities.
Authorities are expecting Blumenau to have the worse flood since 1992, according to the weatherman Leandro Puchalski, reports Click RBS. Heavy rains in recent days and the volatility of forecasted weather in the coming hours could make the Itajaí-Açu River, in Blumenau, climb to 41 feet, the highest level registered in the past 19 years. One of the latest water level measurements showed it was already 39 feet high. The governor of Santa Catarina, Raimundo Colombo, is visiting Blumenau and Rio do Sul to inspect the areas and talk to the mayors of the affected cities. The mayor of Blumenau has confirmed the city is in a state of emergency. Over 28,000 people are without electricity, and 70% of the city’s population is without water. Mudslides and floods dominate the image of the state right now. According to Click RBS, the Civil Defense reported 38 cities are in danger and over 43,000 people have been affected so far.
BDCi will be delivering updates throughout this weekend to bring you more information about what is going on in other cities of Santa Catarina as well.
By: Ana Paula Silvani Source: Click RBS Photo courtesy of ethnic newz September 09, 2011
2:00 p.m. PDT