A violent hurricane that hit the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil affected more than 25 thousand people in about sixty towns as a result of an average of 300 mm of rain in 24 hours caused landslides and floods, local authorities said in a statement.

 Edited  by |ANNA sam

South America  section -  CJ journalist

Rio Grande do Sul – September,6,2023

21 people were killed by a hurricane that hit southern Brazil, the governor of Rio Grande do Sul state announced, expressing regret for the"worst toll of a climate event" in his region.

"Unfortunately, I have received information that 15 bodies have been found in the town of mocum, bringing the death toll to 21,"governor Eduardo Leite said at a press conference.

In June, another hurricane left 16 dead in the same state, which borders Uruguay and Argentina. Dozens of firefighters were called and "hundreds of people"were rescued, the governor explained.

Helicopters were used to evacuate trapped residents, after some roads became impassable due to flooding.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his " solidarity "with the victims, stressing that the federal government is" ready to provide assistance " to Rio Grande do Sul.

Brazil has experienced bad weather in recent years, which experts do not rule out has links to climate change. The lack of civic organization exacerbates the effects of climate disasters, as many poor residents live in unsafe housing on the hillsides.

At least 65 people died last February in floods and landslides caused by deluge rains in the southeastern state of Sao Paulo.

About 9.5 million of Brazil's 203 million people live in areas prone to flooding and landslides.