Cyclone Threatens Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul After Devastating Rains

Heavy rains and an approaching cyclone have caused significant damage and flooding in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. At least six municipalities have reported damage, with São Borja declaring a state of emergency. A wooden bridge connecting São Vicente do Sul and Cacequi collapsed, isolating around 600 residents. In Alegrete, roads became impassable due to flooding. In Uruguaiana, streets turned into rivers. In Panambi, a fallen tree blocked the BR-285 highway. Five municipalities in central Rio Grande do Sul have roads closed. In São Borja, 90 millimeters of rain fell in just 40 minutes—three times the monthly average. Schools closed due to the flooding. Cassia Camargo, a resident of Canoas, described the situation: "The river is very high, very low, you have to keep an eye on the forecast, because if anything happens we run, and we don't even know where to go, but we run." The approaching cyclone, about 200 kilometers from the coast, is causing increasing concern. Meteorologists are closely monitoring the situation.