Leaders Online Desk: The death toll from floods in Brazil's southern state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to 75, with more than 100 people missing. More than 1,15,000 people have been displaced from their homes. Around 16,000 people took shelter in schools, gyms and other temporary shelters.
Many of the nearly 500 towns in the state, which borders Uruguay and Argentina, have been affected by flooding from storms in the past few days. According to officials, more than 1 lakh 15 thousand people have been displaced. Floods have destroyed roads and bridges in many cities. Landslides have also occurred due to rain.
State Governor Eduardo Leite said the disaster we are facing is unprecedented. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the flood-hit state for the second time on Sunday. He was accompanied by Defense Minister Jose Mucio, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad and Environment Minister Marina Silva.
