Event SpecialistGroom: Taquari Jamar Hatch Entertainment ManagerMarried On: February 22 New OrleansWedding Style: Sophisticated EleganceLove Will Find A WayWhen it comes to true love Just ask newlyweds Nadia and Taquari who first met at a FAMU homecoming event in 2007 but she was seeing someone else so they settled on becoming Facebook friends Years later they were reintroduced when he moved to her hometown of New Orleans Wait A MinuteIt was the 2012 holiday season and lovebirds Nadia and Taquari were finishing up a fiercely competitive game of Taboo (guys-vs.-girls) at their annual Christmas party with friends Taquari volunteered to give clues for the final round to bring the fellas to the lead His teammate flipped the time and all eyes were on him he had something far more important to say “I wanted to ask my best friend—my girlfriend—to be my future wife,” he exclaimed Nadia would like to tell you exactly what happened next but she can only remember being overwhelmed with joy as the man of her dreams popped the question in a surprise proposal that left everyone in the room stunned and in awe of the happy couple Photos: Studio Tran Photographers Metrics details This analysis delves into precipitation dynamics in the Bacia Taquari Antas region Employing a multi-scale approach encompassing monthly the study unveils a consistent precipitation distribution throughout the year prompts investigation into potential climatic variability the daily analysis highlights September 4th emphasizing the importance of historical context in evaluating weather event severity Subdaily scrutiny of September 4th reveals intense raising concerns about hydrological impacts such as flash floods Positive trends in Rx5day (maximum consecutive 5-day precipitation amount) and R25 (number of days in a year when precipitation exceeds 25 mm) indices indicate an increase in heavy precipitation events aligning with broader climate change concerns Shifting focus to flood extent and impact assessment in the Taquari-Antas Basin a simulation model depicts the temporal evolution of the flood and buildings furnishes critical data for disaster management This study contributes to localized precipitation comprehension and broader issues of climate trends providing a basis for informed decision-making and resilient planning strategies This synoptic pattern is clear in the low pressure occurred in the days analyzed in the present paper A persistent surface low pressure was present in central South America since directly influencing Rio Grande do Sul (figures not shown) The cyclone formation occurred on the evening of Monday when the cyclone center was located right at the Rio Grande do Sul Coast heavy rains had already affected more than 50 cities the cities in the Taquari Valley were hit by the river’s flooding that runs through the area A rescue operation was initiated to assist the affected and search for the missing individuals the state’s Civil Defense confirmed new casualties and missing persons (ii) the presence of a low-pressure system centered in the north of Argentina one day before the occurrence of the event extreme (iii) the development of LLJ from the northern quadrant over Paraguay 2 days before the occurrence of extreme precipitation and (iv) a strong convergence of moisture flow over the southern region one day before the extreme rain transporting more moisture and causing more instability over South Brazil September 2023 marked the rainiest month in Porto Alegre in 107 years (until this month) according to the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) The monthly accumulated rainfall in Porto Alegre already reached 413.8 mm this is the highest monthly volume since 1916 The other months with the highest accumulations are According to measurements from the conventional meteorological station the days with the highest rainfall in the month were the choice of flood modeling method should be influenced by the specific objectives which involves simulating the flow of water through channels and other water bodies to predict potential flooding The study aims to assess weather event severity localized precipitation which raises concerns about hydrological impacts such as flash floods the study examines trends in heavy precipitation events Monthly Precipitation boxplot from 1981 to 2023 for Taquari-Antas basin Daily Precipitation for September 2023 for Taquari-Antas basin a Maximum accumulated rainfall for 1h; b maximum accumulated rainfall for 3h; c maximum accumulated rainfall for 6h; d maximum accumulated rainfall for 12h; e accumulated for September Climate precipitation index considering 1981–2022 period for Taquari-Antas basin. Climate precipitation index considering 1981–2022 period for Taquari-Antas basin The spatial trend analysis was conducted for the indices R5x5day and R25 to investigate the spatial distribution of changes for the two indices that show significance within the region (mean). It is noteworthy that almost all regions exhibit significance in changes, with the most significant changes observed in the central-east portion (Fig. 6). Spatial trend analysis for Rx5day and R25 Flood model validation using water level data Simulated progression of flood extent in the Taquari-Antas basin Table 1 displays the extent of the flood area the area of the census sector affected by the flood the area of cities declared in a state of calamity affected by the flood the area of cities where people lost their lives due to the flood the area of buildings affected by the flood and built-up areas or the period from September 2 to 5 These data are crucial for assessing the impact of the floods the damage to buildings and infrastructure including areas where tragedies such as fatalities occurred The analysis of this data is essential for planning disaster prevention and response measures as well as for evaluating the long-term effects of the floods in the affected region Flooded area in cities declared as state of calamity The land use and land cover (LULC) class with the largest flooded area was farming, followed by the forest class, and the class with the smallest flooded area was wetland, followed by the urban area class (Fig. 11). classified according to different Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) classes Instead of focusing solely on affected urban areas this figure categorizes the flooded areas based on various types of land cover This allows for a more nuanced understanding of the impacts of flooding on different types of land cover Flood risk map classification and census sectors cities with deaths and the location of buildings the declaration of a state of calamity in cities due to rains follows a procedure established by state authorities this declaration is made by the state governor or competent bodies such as the State Civil Defense in response to natural disasters such as floods caused by heavy rains The process may involve an assessment of the severity of the damages caused by the rains in a particular city or region This assessment considers factors such as the number of people affected Once the severity of the situation is confirmed and justifies the need for emergency assistance from the state the declaration of a state of calamity is formalized This may include the allocation of additional financial and logistical resources to help respond to the damages caused by the rains and assist affected communities It is important to emphasize that the declaration of a state of public calamity is a legal instrument that facilitates the mobilization of resources and the taking of emergency measures to deal with natural disasters This declaration is made based on objective criteria and aims primarily to expedite assistance to affected areas and ensure the protection of the population in emergency situations Flood risk class versus slope for the study area The even distribution of precipitation throughout the year aligns with the expected characteristics of certain climate types The concentration of the greatest cumulative rainfall in October and September may be influenced by regional climate drivers The anomalous precipitation in September 2023 suggests potential variability that warrants further investigation The analysis of daily precipitation highlights the significance of September 4th with a substantial accumulation of rainfall The comparison with historical data indicates that while notable this event was not the most extreme in the dataset The identification of instances with higher 24-h rainfall underscores the importance of considering long-term trends in assessing the severity of current weather events reveals intense precipitation over short durations The observed values exceeding 140 mm in this period coupled with stations recording 200–250 mm raise concerns about the intensity and localized nature of the rainfall Such extreme subdaily precipitation events may have significant implications for local hydrology including the potential for flash floods and soil erosion The identified positive trends in Rx5day and R25 indices suggest an increase in both the intensity and frequency of heavy precipitation events over the analyzed period The rise in the maximum 5-day precipitation and the number of days with precipitation exceeding 25 mm may indicate a shift towards more extreme and sustained precipitation events These trends align with broader concerns related to climate change emphasizing the need for adaptive measures in water resource management and infrastructure planning The study employs a simulation model, as depicted in Fig. 8 to analyze the flood extent during the period from September 2 to 5 It is essential to elucidate the methodology and data sources used in the simulation A transparent description of the hydrological model is critical for the reproducibility of the study Citations to relevant modeling frameworks or hydrological tools would enhance the scientific rigor of the analysis Figure 8 illustrates the temporal evolution of the flood extent indicating a peak on September 4 at 1848.17 km² Understanding the dynamics of flood progression and recession is crucial for flood forecasting and management The cessation of rainfall on September 5 and the subsequent decrease in the flood extent provide valuable insights for disaster response planning emphasizing the importance of timely and accurate weather forecasts Table 1 comprehensively presents data on flood impact This information is vital for assessing the severity of the flooding event such as the areas of cities in a state of calamity and locations with fatalities facilitates a nuanced understanding of the diverse impacts on both the built environment and human populations indicating the prevalence of flooding in farming and forested areas The scientific discussion should delve into the implications of land use patterns on flood dynamics considering factors such as soil characteristics and land management practices Citing the sources of LULC data and the methodology employed for classification is critical for the scientific robustness of this analysis The discussion rightly emphasizes the importance of the presented data for disaster management and long-term impact evaluation This aligns with established scientific literature on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation Citations to relevant studies on disaster planning and the socio-economic impacts of floods would contextualize the findings within the broader scientific discourse including rainfall records (n = 36,466) and data on Taquari River levels during 44 flood events since 1941 with the most severe reaching a record level on July 8th Human settlement in flood-prone areas has increased rapidly with 34% of flood events occurring between 2011–2020 The dataset provides valuable insights for developing predictive models and assessing correlations between floods While the presented findings offer valuable insights it is essential to acknowledge potential limitations The accuracy of the flood risk map relies on the quality of input data Transparent documentation of these aspects is crucial for the reproducibility and reliability of the results The catastrophic flooding and extreme rainfall events that occurred in Rio Grande do Sul in September 2023 can be attributed to a complex interplay of meteorological and geographical factors influenced by climate change The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events in the region suggest a changing climate pattern that poses substantial risks to communities and infrastructure Properly mapped flood risk information can aid in decision-making for urban planning It also contributes to raising public awareness and enhancing resilience to flood events Through an in-depth analysis of this climatic disaster we aim to uncover the specific mechanisms and contributing factors that led to this unprecedented event This research will not only enhance our understanding of the dynamics of extreme precipitation but also contribute to the development of more effective strategies for flood risk assessment and mitigation in the future the multifaceted analysis of precipitation dynamics in the Bacia Taquari Antas region for September 2023 has provided comprehensive insights into the complex nature of rainfall patterns and their potential implications for local climate dynamics contribute significantly to understanding both the normal climate variability and the anomalous precipitation observed in September 2023 a Location of Taquari-Antas basin in Rio Grande do Sul State Brazil; b location of Taquari-Antas basin; c Digital Elevation Model (MDE) for the study area; d slope e rainfall (mm); and f land use and land cover (LULC) in Km2 Regarding land use and land cover, LULC, (Fig. 14b) in the region of the headwaters of the Taquari-Antas River in the Campos de Cima da Serra (grassy plains) This landscape changes around the city of Antônio Prado where small rural properties with intensive land use and Antas rivers stand out in terms of cultivated areas with corn and soybean crops being predominant rice is cultivated in the flatter areas to the south of the basin The forest vegetation is primarily Mixed Ombrophilous Forest with the Araucaria being the main tree species It develops alongside small shrubs and patches of vegetation The continuity of this forest is interrupted by the presence of steppes which are open grassland areas dominated by low-lying species These areas may have different names based on their specific characteristics Flowchart of data and methods used in the study which has been resampled (up-sampled) to achieve a pixel size of 30 meters from its original 12.5 meters and adjusted to orthometric altitude based on the EGM96 geoid model It is also converted to geometrical altitude which is measured with respect to the ellipsoid Due to the high number of scenes required to cover the entire study area these scenes will not be individually detailed in this context To investigate sub-daily precipitation on September 2023, we used meteorological stations from INMET only for September 2023 data. There are 7 meteorological stations from INMET on region and precipitation data is measured at each 1 h (Fig. 16). “Location of INMET Meteorological Stations used for sub-daily analysis in the Taquari-Antas Basin region during September 2023.” with rainfall stations and water level stations highlighted for model validation To understand the characteristics of the time series several statistical tests were conducted: 1 Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) Test: This test was used to assess the seasonality of the data and verify the stability of the mean The null hypothesis of the ADF test indicates that if the time series has a unit root Durbin–Watson (DW) Test: The DW test was employed to evaluate autocorrelation in non-lagged dependent variables and is suitable for small sample sizes with values close to 2 indicating no autocorrelation values close to 0 suggesting positive autocorrelation and values close to 4 implying negative autocorrelation Mann–Kendall Test: The Mann–Kendall test is a robust and nonparametric method used to detect statistically significant time trends The null hypothesis (H0) suggests there is no trend in the data while the alternative hypothesis (HA) indicates the presence of a trend which can be either increasing or decreasing the Theil-Sen Robust Linear Regression (TS) was utilized composing the classical regression line equation The results of these statistical analyses were used to calibrate the flood model for September 4 These urban data layers were used to delineate urban areas within the municipality were employed to identify urban areas with high density and low density These data were instrumental for both qualitative and quantitative analyses aimed at understanding the impacts of extreme rainfall events on flooding The integration of these various data sources allowed for a comprehensive assessment of the effects of extreme rainfall events on floods and density on the flood patterns in the studied area It is a cutting-edge tool for flood modeling that offers a two-dimensional approach to simulating flood dynamics HEC-RAS 2D takes into account both the vertical and horizontal dimensions of flood flows providing a more accurate representation of flood extents and depths it enables engineers and researchers to assess flood risk and make informed decisions regarding floodplain management This advanced modeling approach is particularly valuable when dealing with areas prone to flooding offering a more comprehensive understanding of flood behavior and aiding in the development of effective flood mitigation strategies daily rainfall data from 1981 to September 2023 were analyzed using a box and whisker plot This data helped fine-tune the model parameters The HEC-RAS 2D model is based on solving one or two-dimensional Saint-Venant equations which account for both steady and unsteady flow (dynamic) regimes and the September 2023 flood event was modeled directly using precipitation data Precipitation data were incorporated into the model on a daily basis The rainiest day recorded in the basin during the flood The input data required for the development of the 2D model included: 1 which were defined through distributed rainfall data across the entire basin represented as “n,” which is a parameter used to describe surface roughness A graph was generated from the stratified classes focusing on flood areas within the urban perimeter This graph included data related to the areas of the flood patches All datasets were then organized within the HEC-RAS/RAS MAPPER software to simulate the event a Geographic Information System (GIS) was employed Geoprocessing techniques and digital cartography were integrated into the ArcGIS software which is developed by ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute) in 2015 This GIS-based approach allowed for the visualization and interpretation of the simulation results within a spatial context providing valuable insights into the impact of the flood event on the urban area and its surroundings where \(\left({Q}_{0}\right)\) is the mean of observed discharges \({Q}_{0}^{t}\) is observed discharge at time t The Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency is calculated as one minus the ratio of the error variance of the modeled time-series divided by the variance of the observed time-series In the situation of a perfect model with an estimation error variance equal to zero the resulting Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency equals 1 (NSE = 1) a model that produces an estimation error variance equal to the variance of the observed time series results in a Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency of 0.0 (NSE = 0) NSE = 0 indicates that the model has the same predictive skill as the mean of the time-series in terms of the sum of the squared error In the case of a modeled time series with an estimation error variance that is significantly larger than the variance of the observations An efficiency less than zero (NSE < 0) occurs when the observed mean is a better predictor than the model suggest a model with more predictive skill The method uses the velocity and the flood depth from the 2D model HEC-RAS A review of extratropical cyclones: observations and conceptual models over the past 100 years Analysis of Atlantic extratropical storm tracks characteristics in 41 years of ERA5 and CFSR/CFSv2 databases On precursors of South American cyclogenesis Climatologia e Comportamento Dos Sistemas Frontais Sobre a América do Sul Dissertação de Mestrado (Mestrado em Meteorologia) (INPE Climatology of surface baroclinic zones in the coast of Brazil Upper tropospheric cyclonic vortices in the tropical South Atlantic Variability of southern hemisphere extratropical cyclone behavior A new perspective on southern hemisphere storm tracks Synoptic Meteorology in the Southern Hemisphere Análises das características sinóticas das trajetórias dos ciclones extratropicais que atuam na América do Sul e vizinhanças Dissertação (Mestrado em Meteorologia) - Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE) Subtropical cyclones over the Southwestern South Atlantic: climatological aspects and case study In: International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing An Increase in the number of tornado reports in Brazil Previsão de tempestades severas utilizando-se parâmetros convectivos e modelos de mesoescala: uma estratégia operacional adotável no Brasil Tropical–midlatitude exchange of air masses during summer and winter in South America: climatic aspects and examples of intense events Springtime precipitation and water vapor flux convergence over southeastern South America Climatology of the low-level jet east of the Andes as derived from NCEP-NCAR reanalyses: characteristics and temporal variability Dynamical and synoptic characteristics of heavy rainfall episodes in southern Brazil Influence of Central and East ENSO on extreme events of precipitation in South America during austral spring and summer Climate impacts of the El Niño–southern oscillation on South America Influence of central and east ENSO on precipitation and its extreme events in South America during austral autumn and winter Statistics and dynamics of persistent anomalies Dynamics of subtropical vertical motions over the Americas during El Niño boreal winters Observational evidences on the modulation of the South American Low Level Jet east of the Andes according to the ENSO variability The South American low‐level jet: a new climatology A global multi-hazard risk analysis of road and railway infrastructure assets A simple inertial formulation of the shallow water equations for efficient two-dimensional flood inundation modeling Flood risk mapping at the local scale: concepts and challenges Seasonal dependence of ENSO teleconnections over South America and relationships with precipitation in Uruguay Impacts of teleconnection patterns on South America climate Geomorphological factors influencing flooding Detection and attribution of changes in flood magnitude in the Odra River basin Multi-criteria decision-making for flood risk management: a survey of the current state of the art Participatory flood vulnerability assessment: a multi-criteria approach Data analysis reveals that extreme events have increased the flood inundations in the Taquari River Valley Large area hydrologic modeling and assessment: Part I: Model development Multi-variate flood damage assessment: a tree-based data-mining approach Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) HEC-RAS River Analysis System: Hydraulic Reference Manual (FEMA Social vulnerability to environmental hazards Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC People at risk of flooding: why some residents take precautionary action while others do not Flood risk mapping at the local scale: concepts and challenges in Germany An analysis of the causes and circumstances of flood disaster deaths Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (United Nations Human Settlements Programme The climate hazards infrared precipitation with stations—a new environmental record for monitoring extremes VALIDAÇÃO DOS de precipitação estimados pelo CHIRPS para o Brazil Assessment of the extreme precipitation by satellite estimates over South America Extreme daily precipitation in southern South America: statistical characterization and circulation types using observational datasets and regional climate models Recent global performance of the Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation (CHIRP) with Stations (CHIRPS) Clivar/GCOS/WMO workshop on indices and indicators for climate extremes workshop summary Report of the Activities of the Working Group on Climate Change Detection and Related Rapporteurs Avoiding inhomogeneity in percentile-based indices of temperature extremes Indices for monitoring changes in extremes based on daily temperature and precipitation data Smoothing of climate time series revisited Estimates of the regression coefficient based on Kendall’s Tau Evaluation of the tropical rainfall measuring mission 3B43 product over an inland area in Brazil and the effects of satellite boost on rainfall estimates Terrestrial and airborne laser scanning and 2-D modelling for 3-D flood hazard maps in urban areas: new opportunities and perspectives Environ Flash floods and landslides in the city of Recife Northeast Brazil after heavy rain on May 25–28 Novel landslide susceptibility mapping based on multi-criteria decision-making in Ouro Preto River flow forecasting through conceptual model Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Guidance for Flood Risk Analysis and Mapping Flood map production and evaluation of flood risks in situations of insufficient flow data Download references José Mantovani would like to thank the postdoctoral scholarship granted by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) under grant 88887.760666/2022-00 Earth Observatory of Singapore and Asian School of the Environment Maria Souza Custódio & Luiz Felippe Gozzo National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters (CEMADEN) Cheila Flávia Praga Baião: Writing—Review & Editing Maria de Souza Custódio: Writing - Review & Editing Luiz Felippe Gozzo: Writing—Review & Editing Cassiano Antonio Bortolozo: Writing—Review & Editing The authors declare no competing interests Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44304-024-00009-8 Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: a shareable link is not currently available for this article Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science thanks to two generous donors and a generous match provided by the Government of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul This 1:3 match means that your $50 donation has the same impact as $200 The Pantanal covers over 43.5 million acres across west-central Brazil 20 times larger than the Florida Everglades Although significant portions of the Pantanal remain relatively pristine and competing interests for land impede opportunities to conserve large-scale wilderness areas with the area under increasing pressure for agricultural conversion The Pantanal has also lost approximately 30% of its water volume in recent years due to overuse of water upstream A drying trend is negatively impacting wildlife and human communities and resulting in unusually early and intense fires in the wetland that are shattering historical records The Pantanal—the world’s largest tropical wetland—is burning We need your help to protect this magnificent ecosystem We must move quickly to protect biodiversity while the political climate in Brazil is amenable The Pantanal has become the second-most popular tourism site in South America after the Galapagos To protect a critical wildlife corridor connecting the northern and southern Pantanal—the area most widely known and visited by tourists—Rainforest Trust is collaborating with the Mato Grosso do Sul state’s Environment Agency and a global alliance of funders to establish the new 326,179-acre Taquari Wetlands State Park The project will support a new fire-response team Header photo: Fires burn in the Pantanal near the project site Fires in the Pantanal are destroying the biodiverse wetlands of the Pantanal Fires are destroying the biodiverse wetlands of the Pantanal of Brazil's Pantanal wetland is currently protected and 98 reptile species are found in the Pantanal It is home to the most dense population of Jaguars in the world and this apex predator shapes the entire ecosystem The wetland is an important refuge for Giant Otters with the population estimated by scientists at an astounding 4,000 individuals or more are vital for these wide-ranging animals as well as for Bush Dog Hundreds of bird species depend on the Pantanal as a critical stopover site as they migrate to and from North America Threatened birds living within the proposed park include the Hyacinth Macaw (the largest parrot on Earth) and Chestnut-bellied Guan It is also home to Osprey and the renowned Jabiru injured by the fires burning in the Pantanal receives medical attention at a local rehabilitation facility An absence of conservation measures and government presence has allowed overfishing and uncontrolled occupation and deforestation to become urgent threats Once the Taquari Wetlands State Park is established Learn More About this Project > Our partners’ ability to work with their governments and build strong connections with local communities ensures the successful implementation of our projects Thank you for signing up for news and information alerts from Rainforest Trust and general and administrative costs through a combination of investment earnings and unrestricted contributions from our closest supporters 100% of your donation is allocated to conservation projects The dates displayed for an article provide information on when various publication milestones were reached at the journal that has published the article activities on preceding journals at which the article was previously under consideration are not shown (for instance submission Journal of Environmental ManagementCitation Excerpt :As climate changes may alter rainfall and droughts patterns in the Pantanal watersheds (Thielen et al. one can expect an increase in summer river runoff and sediment load to the plains (Bergier et al. and an increase in winter wildfire recurrence both adversely affecting Pantanal's biodiversity and ecological functioning (Silva et al. (2019) pointed to up to 40% increased soil loss by 2050 from land-use changes accompanied by on-site (UTRB) and off-site (Pantanal) pesticide inputs (Roque et al. and a greater probability of river avulsions of the Taquari River in lowlands (Bergier et al. As an important watershed of the Upper Paraguay River Basin (UPRB) the Upper Taquari River Basin (UTRB) covers 28,111 km2 of the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul in the central-western region of Brazil bounded by latitudes 17°30′S to 19°30′S and longitudes 53°00′W to 55°00′W (Fig Current Research in Environmental SustainabilityCitation Excerpt :They have been severely impacted by the flood in the 2000s (Curado and have recently experienced aridification and social isolation due to difficulty accessing urban areas for health assistance that community has been changing lifestyle by working on cattle farms that could expand production (Louzada et al. particularly Corumbá and Ladário municipalities (Louzada and Brito the avulsion in lobe C created new opportunities based on the sustainable collection of Cayman yacare eggs for a local industry of leather and meat (Stael et al. All content on this site: Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. Devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sul state have about left 90 dead with survivors seeking food and shelter Heavy rains that began last week have caused rivers to flood inundating whole towns and destroying roads and bridges across the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul The local civil defence agency said the death toll had risen to 90 while 131 people were unaccounted for with 155,000 homeless A state of emergency has been declared in 397 of Rio Grande do Sul’s 497 towns and cities as rescue efforts continue Photographs: Maxar Technologies/AFP/Getty Images Flooded areas around Grêmio Arena in Porto Alegre Before and after images of the flood affecting the Taquari River The Taquari River and the highway 386 bridge in Estrela Homes and neighbourhoods in north Porto Alegre Photographs: EU/Copernicus Sentinel-2/Reuters The area around the Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola in Lajeado The railyard and buildings north of the airport in Porto Alegre A neighbourhood by the Cai River in Montenegro Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite images showing a broad area along Jacuí River Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article In its headstreams diamond washings are found Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker ← → When Lucas George Wendt arrived in Lajeado in late May the peaks of roofs and the tops of trees were some of the only things visible above the murky brown water that had covered his hometown was one of the communities hit hardest by the historic flooding that tore through Brazil’s southernmost state Backhoes were scooping mud from blocked roads city workers were clearing sidewalks with pressure washers and volunteers were sorting through donations of clothing he had heard about a Univates mapping project led by researcher Sofia Royer Moraes an environmental engineer who studies extreme flooding events in the Taquari-Antas River Basin leaving the region to deal with the worst flooding in 82 years the displacement of at least 359,000 people Residents of the Taquari Valley were used to dealing with annual flooding Studies showed that climate change had worsened the flood which meant that future floods would bring even more deaths Subscribe to the E360 Newsletter for weekly updates delivered to your inbox. Sign Up It was then that Moraes decided she could do something to help. She created what is known as a Citizen Map using Google Maps as a platform for ordinary people using their smartphones to pinpoint the floodwaters’ reach These so-called citizen scientists were instructed to take photos of what they saw and send them to a WhatsApp group monitored by Moraes and her team Combining that information with historic flood data from the area the team could model what might happen during future floods helping residents who had already lost everything to decide where it would be safest to rebuild their lives The models could also give authorities the information they needed for better urban planning and allocation of resources Wendt snapped photos of everything he thought would benefit the Citizen Map: a white cross smeared with mud where a church once stood; a lone house standing among pieces of hundreds of others that had washed away; markings on a wall in the city center that registered the water’s height Wendt’s more than 20 data points collected at the end of May are now among the more than 600 on the constantly updated Citizen Map a contribution he knew would help others but that he was surprised to see helped him as well “It helped me understand all of these connections,” he said what is the impact that’s going to have downriver Someone who participates in this type of citizen science initiative ends up being more aware and more empowered to deal with this type of situation we know we can expect more of in the near future.” the team behind the Citizen Map wants Brazilian authorities to use this data to rethink everything from urban planning and post-disaster recovery to the availability of health care and clean drinking water in the aftermath of climate-change-induced catastrophes They also hope that by educating people about what’s going on around them they’ll not only become more interested and invested in participating in solutions to local flooding but also feel prepared to face what’s to come Experts have attributed the severity of the recent flooding in southern Brazil to human-driven climate change. An analysis carried out by researchers at the Pierre Simon Laplace Institute’s Climate and Environmental Sciences Laboratory showed that extreme weather events in Rio Grande do Sul that occurred between 2001 and 2023 delivered up to 15 percent more precipitation than events that occurred between 1979 and 2001 A recent study also found that “the highly densely populated regions [in] Southern and Southeastern Brazil as well as the coastal section of Northeast Brazil are the most exposed to landslides and floods,” and that these impacts will continue to worsen with more warming and increased the intensity of the rainfall between 6 and 9 percent The first record-setting flood to wash out the Taquari Valley and other parts of Rio Grande do Sul took place in 1941 The only record of the floodwaters’ height was a mark scratched into the wall of a school “That memory is isolated there,” says Wendt of the marker “It doesn’t contribute as much as it could if it had happened nowadays The first Citizen Map that Moraes created last September collected data only on the perimeter of the affected area to determine what parts of the Taquari Valley would be considered at high risk of future flooding Around 600 data points were sent in by 150 citizen scientists How an El Niño-driven drought brought hunger to southern Africa. Read more Some neighborhoods that participated heavily in mapping the September floods haven’t been involved in creating the new map but that’s likely because those areas are still difficult to access And while the state continues to recover from the emergency — it initially focused on saving people and animals from fast-moving waters and collapsing buildings and is now setting people up in shelters and other more permanent housing — data collection is expected to be slow The Citizen Map is currently very simple and powered by Google, but the team plans to partner with the the open-mapping nonprofit Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team to improve the visuals of their final product “We want our map to be as easy to understand as possible to make sure it can be used by anyone who wants to consult it to keep themselves safe and make the best decisions possible for their future.” when the second of this year’s three rain and flood episodes began in Rio Grande do Sul (the other two were on April 29 and May 13) Moraes and her team had to move out of the university building where they worked a local radio station that gave them space to work and talked about their project on the air providing its WhatsApp number for anyone who wanted to send data or ask questions Some 200 people sent their locations to the Citizen Map team on May 2 and the team spent all afternoon and night analyzing data to determine who was in or near an area of risk and who ought to evacuate information on what was happening farther upstream was crucial in making such decisions “I really support citizen science initiatives because they are exactly what people need to learn and feel empowered,” says Marta Angela Marcondes an expert in water resources and coordinator of the Water Pollutant Index Project at the Municipal University of São Caetano do Sul “I really believe in processes of prevention and not remediation and civil society is a key component in making this happen.” The culture of prevention is important to Moraes She wants the Citizen Map not only to help residents of Rio Grande do Sul keep themselves safe and informed but also for it to guide authorities to do the same decision makers can improve urban planning creating better mitigation plans for future flooding — like improving stormwater drainage and management systems — and allowing new homes Moraes wants the Citizen Map to keep growing eventually mapping the lack of drinking water and access to basic health care in the aftermath of climate-related crises What will it take to save our cities from a scorching future? Read more I can then use this information to determine which areas are more fragile and direct the necessary public policies to those that need them most.” Two to five years after the original event Moraes hopes she will be able to map where those public policies have ended up and measure their success “We can’t stop these events from happening but we can make sure we’re ready to deal with them in the best way possible.” Jill Langlois is an independent journalist based in São Paulo, Brazil. She has been reporting from South America since 2010, writing for publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, Al Jazeera, the Los Angeles Times, and the Associated Press. More about Jill Langlois → Never miss an article. Subscribe to the E360 Newsletter → In just eight months, three historic floods have devastated entire towns in the Vale do Taquari region, which encompasses dozens of municipalities in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul state, South Brazil, where family farming had a strong presence and agriculture was a thriving industry. The scene after the most recent catastrophe resembles a war zone, with bridges destroyed, houses wrecked, rubble and mud piling up everywhere, and the people left distraught. The tragedy began late in April, with river floods observed in virtually all of the state’s municipalities. On Sunday (May 19), Agência Brasil visited locations where there are still blockades—towns like Roca Sales and Arroio do Meio, which are among the most heavily devastated. Until a week ago, major highways reaching the capital had still not been fully cleared. One of the videos that spread online during the tragic days shows the highway bridge over the Taquari river, at the entrance to the town of Lajeado, almost completely covered in water and the river overflowing its banks, covering factories and stores, including a Havan chain outlet and its iconic replica of the Statue of Liberty. Two weeks later, the marks of destruction are still obvious, with the concrete parapet of the bridge cluttered with branches and the ravines on the river banks littered with uprooted trees. A glass factory by the bridge has announced on social media it will relocate after being ruined by the current. “These floods have shown that the existing master plan is not enough. Now, after the new [flood] levels, the town will have to reorganize itself. It’s not just the riverside population that lives in the flood zones, but also those on the hillsides, where 30 families suffered from landslides,” he reported. Not far from there, another destruction site continues to cause inconvenience to residents and workers. Carried away by the current of the Forqueta river, a tributary of the Taquari, the bridge between Lajeado and Arroio do Meio has become a chunk of concrete slumped onto riverbank. On May 15, it was closed off and a pedestrian-only crossing was set up by an army battalion. “I work in Arroio do Meio, but I come here to get across because, as we no longer have access, no more goods come [to Arroio do Meio,] so we cross to get supplies and come back,” said saleswoman Simone Feil. Hundreds of workers who live in one town and work in the other have to take transport to the river and cross the improvised footbridge—no more than a wooden walkway supported by a row of boats. The flow of people on the platform is hectic. No official figures are available, but in just under an hour hundreds of locals were seen making their way across. The traffic is organized by army soldiers, and wearing life jackets is mandatory. Since the footbridge is a narrow and one-way passage, the groups on each bank are only allowed to go alternately. Elderly people, people with reduced mobility, and children find the crossing even more challenging, as it requires descending a steep, slippery ravine soaked by the rain. Young student Letícia Elegeda was one of the people going over the footbridge from Arroio do Meio, carrying two large suitcases, a backpack, and a box. “I decided to leave town. I’m just 20 years old, and the town is utterly lost. All small businesses [have been affected]. The low-lying neighborhoods by the river no longer exist,” she said, referring to her hometown. Elegeda says that, in the flood of September last year—the worst in history, until now—she and her parents were forced to move to a higher district for protection, but the river reached them again. It happened quickly. Elegeda and her parents only had a few hours to gather their clothes and some pieces of work equipment and camp outside a neighbor’s house. Last Saturday (18), on a visit to Vale do Taquari, Rio Grande do Sul state Governor Eduardo Leite announced the construction of a new bridge between Lajeado and Arroio do Meio, which is expected to cost around BRL 14 million and take more than 180 days to build. In the meantime, a second pedestrian footbridge will have to be installed to ensure simultaneous crossings. Student Leonardo Friedrich said the floods left a trail of destruction in his hometown Arroio do Meio, adding that he even avoids watching the videos circulating online. “The accounts that come to us say there’s nothing left. I’m living in Lajeado now, but the videos I’ve watched the least were those recorded in Arroio do Meio. Seeing everything in ruins in a place you’re well familiar with is heart-rending. I have friends who’ve been affected in all towns nearby, and they all say the same thing: in several places where the water had never reached, this time the water went all the way up to the roof.” The main cause for concern now is the economic future of the region. “We wonder how businesses are going to survive. They’re going to have to relocate whole neighborhoods. I can’t say whether the downtown area of Arroio do Meio will be able to stay there any longer, for instance.” “There’s no one who isn’t shaken. If your location didn’t get flooded, you’re going to be disrupted in other ways. We see people suffering,” said physical therapist Mariana Cásper, Friedrich’s girlfriend. “Housing, basic sanitation… It’s hard to think of what to work on first. It’s a really complex matter,” she added. In the view of Colinas Mayor Sandro Hermann, the economic future of his town is uncertain, since local businesses and industries were still recovering from the September floods. “We don’t know how businesses are going to cope, because they’ve been hit twice, some three times, by floods, and they’ve lost all their stock, all their equipment, and we still haven’t managed to tackle the issue of financing for businesses affected by the September flood. It’s been nine months, so it’s difficult for entrepreneurs to find the strength to get their industry, commerce, or service back on track,” Herrmann stated. He hopes that support will arrive more quickly this time. Across the state, around 700 thousand micro and small businesses were directly affected by the floods. In the agricultural area of Vale do Taquari, many farms have been completely abandoned. “People don’t want to go back anymore; this flood has shattered people’s hearts,” the mayor said. In the small town of Colinas, the Evangelical Lutheran Church has become a distribution center for food, clothes, cleaning materials, blankets, mattresses, and water. The supplies come from Taió, in the neighboring Santa Catarina state. All locals have to do is take what they need. Some of the donations come from the Leopoldo Jacobsen school, also in Santa Catarina, and are directed at children. The president of the Corvos e Colina Lutheran community is Marcos Roberto, who had his own farm hit by the flood. “I managed to save my animals; I spent the whole night on my boat. We had to live in the church for five days,” he recounted. *Rádio Nacional reporter Gabriel Brum contributed to this article. Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466 landslides and several rivers breaking their banks As many as 7,000 people have been evacuated from their homes A total of 23 towns and cities in the state have been affected by floods and heavy rainfall that began on Friday 23rd August Many areas have seen more than the monthly average of rain fall in just a few days Several major state roads have been blocked by landslides or flood water Brazil’s Defesa Civil reported that the rivers Antas, Paranhana, Caí, Taquari and Sapucaia Arroyo, all burst their banks after heavy rainfall, resulting in flood waters inundating the homes and streets. Some reports claim the River Taquari is 11 metres above normal levels One man is reported missing in San Francisco de Paula after he tried to cross a dam in his car and was swept away by the raging flood waters Local rescue services are still searching for the man Another person has been reported injured in a separate incident as a result of the floods Floods and landslides recently hit the state of Rio Grande do Sul in 2008 and 2011 as many as 40,000 people were affected by flooding and mudslides after torrential rain Hundreds were made homeless and around 12 people died A state of emergency was declared in 7 cities in the state In November 2008 Rio Grande do Sul was hit hard by flooding although the bordering state of Santa Catarina suffered worse where 50 people died and 20,000 were left homeless Sources: Globo.com Richard Davies is the founder of floodlist.com and reports on flooding news Cookies | Privacy | Contacts © Copyright 2025 FloodList Ten people died and 21 are missing due to heavy rains this week in Brazil's southern state of Rio Grande do Sul with the local government warning that the situation is critical and could deteriorate further state governor Eduardo Leite said he had spoken with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva seeking all possible federal assistance "We are experiencing in Rio Grande do Sul the worst moment extraordinarily serious what is happening in Rio Grande do Sul right now," Leite said Lula is due to travel to the state on Thursday storms have caused the most extensive devastation in the state in recent years leaving several towns isolated after bridges collapsed and roads were destroyed amid floods and mudslides Leite declared the suspension of classes statewide for the remainder of the week and emphasized that he had requested full support from the armed forces "to effectively participate in coordinating this moment Authorities tallied over 3,400 displaced individuals in the wake of storms that led to rising river levels and flooding in various parts of the state the state's government predicted a flood risk "across practically the entire state" given the prospect of continued "heavy precipitation" in the coming days The bulletin also said flooding would be severe in the basins of many rivers with the possibility of flash floods and mass movements of earth in regions with steep slopes Your comment will be reviewed before being posted Storms in Brazil have sparked floods and caused a hydroelectric dam to collapse, with at least 29 people dead and 60 missing. Shocking images and video show people wading through chest-high muddy water and huge swathes of land submerged in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in the country's south.  The region has since declared a state of emergency with the death toll expected to rise and a desperate search underway for dozens of missing people among collapsed homes, bridges and roads.  Storm damage has affected nearly 150 municipalities in the state, also injuring 36 people and displacing more than 10,000. Part of the structure of the hydroelectric dam '14 de Julho' located between the town of Cotipora and the city of Bento Goncalves has also collapsed on Thursday, raising the level of water in the Taquari river.  The downpour started on Monday and was expected to last through Friday. In some areas, such as valleys, mountain slopes and cities, more than six inches of rain fell in 24 hours, according to Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology, known by the Portuguese acronym INMET, on Tuesday. Governor Eduardo Leite said Rio Grande do Sul was dealing with 'the worst disaster in [its] history', and he added: 'We are living a very critical moment in the state.' 'With the deepest pain in my heart, I know it will be even more,' the governor said of the death toll. President Lula, who has blamed the torrent on climate change, arrived in the town of Santa Maria in the morning with a delegation of ministers and held a working meeting with Leite and other officials to coordinate rescue efforts, the government said. The president promised 'there will be no lack of human or material resources' to 'minimize the suffering this extreme event... is causing in the state.' The federal government, he added, 'will be 100 percent at the disposition' of state officials. Central authorities has already made available 12 aircraft, 45 vehicles and 12 boats as well as 626 soldiers to help clear roads, distribute food, water and mattresses, and set up shelters, a press statement said. As the rains continued, forecasts warned the state's main Guaiba River, which has already overflowed its banks in some areas, would reach an extraordinary level of three meters (9.8 feet) by Thursday and four meters the next day. Entire communities in Rio Grande do Sul state have been completely cut off as persistent rains have destroyed bridges and blocked roads, and left towns without even telephone or internet services. Rescuers and soldiers have been scrambling to free families trapped in their homes, many stuck on rooftops to escape rising waters. 'I came here to help people, to get them out of the flooding because it is very dangerous. The current is very strong,' said fisherman Guilverto Luiz, who was helping rescue efforts in Sao Sebastiaio do Cai, about 70 km from Porto Alegre, the state capital.  'I've never seen anything like this... it's all under water,' said Raul Metzel, a 52-year-old machine operator in the municipality of Capela de Santana. Authorities have urged people to avoid areas along state highways due to a risk of mudslides, and those who live near rivers or on hillsides to evacuate. Hundreds of thousands of people have been left without access to electricity and drinking water, while classes have been suspended state-wide. On Wednesday, the state's deputy governor, Gabriel Souza, said damages have been estimated at £16million.  Mayor Sandra Backes of Sinimbu said the situation in her town was 'a nightmare.' 'Sinimbu is like a war zone, completely destroyed... All the stores, businesses, supermarkets - everything is devastated,' she said in a video posted on Instagram. Elsewhere, in Santa Cruz do Sul, lifeguards used boats to transport residents, many of them children, to safety. The region's rivers had already been swollen from previous storms. Weather across South America is affected by the climate phenomenon El Nino, a periodic naturally occurring event that warms surface waters in the Equatorial Pacific region. In Brazil, El Nino has historically caused droughts in the north and intense rainfall in the south. This year, the impacts of El Nino have been particularly dramatic, with a historic drought in the Amazon. Scientists say extreme weather is happening more frequently due to human-caused climate change. Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:... Victim of acid attack 'plotted by his ex-partner who teamed up with a gang' dies in hospital six... We are trapped in unsellable newbuild homes after a £52m dual carriageway was built on our... Pub is forced to pay family £75,000 after wrongly accusing them of 'dine and dash' over £150... Horror as $4.5M influencer-laden yacht SINKS off Miami... after glam women made a rookie maritime... 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Brazil storms spark floods and cause hydroelectric dam to collapseCommenting on this article has endedNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}} The death toll from heavy rains that have caused flooding in Brazil's southern state of Rio Grande do Sul has risen to at least 78 President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in Rio Grande do Sul on Sunday morning with most members of his cabinet to discuss rescue and reconstruction efforts with local authorities stopping us from recovering the state's greatness," Lula said at a press conference and will need post-war measures," state governor Eduardo Leite added jet skis - and even swimming - have assisted in ongoing rescue efforts Fabiano Saldanha said he and three friends have used jet skis to save about 50 people from flood waters since Friday in islands that are part of the city "The only thing we hear when we enter a street is 'help,' 'help,'" Saldanha said The death toll could still substantially increase as 105 people were reported missing on Sunday according to the state civil defense authority It also said it was investigating whether another four deaths were related to the storms Flooding from storms in the past few days has affected more than two thirds of the nearly 500 cities in the state leaving more than 115,000 people displaced Floods have destroyed roads and bridges in several cities The rains also triggered landslides and the partial collapse of a dam at a small hydroelectric power plant More than 400,000 people were without power on Sunday evening while nearly a third of the state's population was without water according to the national geological service Porto Alegre's international airport has suspended all flights since Friday At a makeshift rescue center in Porto Alegre Kaeli Moraes described being rescued along with her husband and their three children when the water had nearly reached the second floor of their house was rescued by volunteers after he had stayed since Friday on the roof of the house where he has lived for 52 years "I have never seen that much water," Manichesque said Pope Francis said on Sunday he was praying for the people of Rio Grande do Sul The death toll from rains in Brazil rose to 57 local authorities said on Saturday afternoon while dozens still have not been accounted for World RSS Follow RNZ News Boosie's brother, Taquari Hatch he stole hundreds of thousands from his brother "there's no peace of mind like knowing that you're innocent." Police worked with the Capital One Bank fraud department to investigate who was behind hacking into Boosie's account Boosie said he's been working with authorities and the bank for a while yet he's denying those claims. Taquari says he will be vindicated insisting that he's the victim of internet trolls and haters Taquari posted a video on Instagram pleading his case and below is what he has to say on the matter: It's crazy situation that's for sure. Anytime something like this happens, it can destroy a family forever. I hope for his sake he can prove he's innocent. We wish them both the best. Of course with any new details on the case, I will bring you the scoop. In the meantime for all things entertainment, get the goods every weekday with Tha Wire, and only on The People's Station 107 Jamz Today in Tha Wire Boosie's brother Taquari, says he's innocent and posted a video on Instagram denying allegations he bled his Boosie's bank account of $361K.\nRead More Boosie's brother, Taquari Hatch It's crazy situation that's for sure. Anytime something like this happens, it can destroy a family forever. I hope for his sake he can prove he's innocent. We wish them both the best. Of course with any new details on the case, I will bring you the scoop. In the meantime for all things entertainment, get the goods every weekday with Tha Wire, and only on The People's Station 107 Jamz The storms and floods in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul result from the combined impact of geographical factors and climate change Rainstorm-triggered floods have been hitting Rio Grande do Sul since the end of April causing severe economic loss and human casualties in that region Death toll from storms and floods in Rio Grande do Sul had risen to 154 its water level can rise by one to two meters within an hour and this can trigger the rapid rise in the water level of the Guaiba River that area also faces challenges from the frequent shifts in wind directions it creates a scenario akin to constructing a dam on the Guaiba River The situation worsens with the increase of precipitation,” said Pedro Camargo a hydrologist of the disaster relief headquarters in the state Heavy rains and floods also hit Rio Grande do Sul last September and November. Meteorologist Katia Valent attributes the frequent occurrence of extreme weather in the state to the influence of El Nino and climate change She further warned that more rains are expected to batter the region in the upcoming week the state will be affected by a new cold air mass as the precipitation is expected to reach 100 to 200 millimeters within the next 48 to 72 hours,” said Valent opened up about the “painful” relationship he has with his mother addressed his ongoing legal dispute with his brother whom he accuses of fraud and stealing $5 million Boosie also raised allegations of TQ forging his signature on crucial documents that enabled his artist, Yung Bleu the conversation shifted to the longstanding issue of Lil Boosie’s mother has always held a special place in her heart describing him as her “pet,” and noted that this dynamic has been consistent throughout their lives Lil Boosie reveals that his mother is urging him to drop his lawsuits against TQ you know she gone do that because she feel like you’re the hard one Having acknowledged his own favoritism with his firstborn Boosie shares the heartache he experiences in his relationship with his mother And it reflects back with my mother and TQ When I get in trouble…she’s fighting for him not to get in trouble Related: Lil Boosie Explains Why He Removed His Daughter Toriana Hatch From His Will Boosie recalled a conversation with a relative: this has been happening to me my whole life It hurt when you have that relationship with your mother and you’ve done so much for your mother every time…I don’t get any love Watch below as Lil Boosie opens up about his mother and his brother Your relationship with your mother can be the most amazing I pray things get better between Lil Boosie (Boosie Badazz) and his mother Share your thoughts in the comments and Subscribe to stay in the know!