06/16/2024 – 17:58
A storm with wind and hail caused great destruction in the city of São Luiz Gonzaga, in the northwest region of Rio Grande do Sul, late on Saturday night, the 15th. Around 1,200 homes and businesses were damaged, according to the city hall. The State Situation Room classified the phenomenon as a microexplosion, resulting from the climate instabilities that hit the region. Despite the damage, until the early afternoon of this Sunday, the 16th, there was no information about victims.
The storm, which started around 10:30 pm, lasted just over five minutes, but had overwhelming force in the city of 34,700 inhabitants. Roofs from industrial warehouses were torn off, silos were bent and roofs of houses were blown away by the wind.
Around 15 thousand people are suffering the consequences of the storm, according to Mayor Sidney Brondani (PP). The most affected neighborhoods were Agrícola, Jauri, Cohab, Mário, Auxiliadora, Presidente Vargas and the industrial area, in addition to the center.
According to him, people who were unable to stay at home due to the damage went to their relatives’ homes. Health centers and schools were also affected and classes will be suspended this Monday, the 16th. There were downed poles and a partial suspension of water supply. According to the mayor, teams and volunteers work to clear streets and help repair houses.
Student Thaiz Castro said that her grandparents’ and two uncles’ homes were destroyed in the Agrícola neighborhood. “They also lost their cars. I had some damage to my house, but not like theirs,” she said. The City Council announced the transfer of a budget of R$ 1 million that was destined for the construction of the new Legislative building to help the municipality in the calamity.
According to the state Civil Defense, microexplosions occur when there are intense storms, with electrical discharges and clouds with a high concentration of water, which ends up being dumped towards the ground. The phenomenon is usually accompanied by strong gusts of wind and hail. There was a warning for storms in the State until 7 pm this Sunday.
The extraordinary minister of Support for Reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul, Paulo Pimenta, spoke about the city’s situation on his account on X (Twiter). “I have been following the sad situation in São Luiz Gonzaga since early morning. I already have a copy of the emergency decree, I have already made contact with the National Civil Defense and President Lula’s government, as always, will be present supporting São Luiz Gonzaga”, he posted.
Rio Grande do Sul is still suffering from the effects of the major floods that hit the state between the end of April and the beginning of May. According to a balance updated last Friday, the 14th, 478 municipalities were affected, leaving 422,753 people homeless and at least 10,793 homeless. There were 175 confirmed deaths, in addition to 806 people injured. There are still 39 people missing.
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