The passage of an extratropical cyclone through southern Brazil led to massive flooding and the death of at least 32 people, according to state authorities on Wednesday.

The cyclone affected 67 municipalities and more than 52,000 people were affected, with authorities reporting that nearly 6,000 people were forced to leave their homes as the number of impacts from the cyclone continues to climb.

The government of Rio Grande do Sul, the hardest-hit region with 31 casualties, is preparing to declare a state of disaster to deal with what Governor Eduardo Leite says is the “greatest natural tragedy” in the state’s history is. .

The state president, along with other ministers from Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s government, appeared at a press conference to warn that “unfortunately, more deaths could be confirmed in the coming hours.”

Area footage of the Taquari River flooding shows how the brown water has risen several feet and is hitting the treetops and the roofs of houses.

The desperation of some residents of the flooded cities has led them to climb to the roofs of houses awaiting rescue by helicopter.

A worker today cleans up the damage in a supermarket caused by the passage of a cyclone, in the town of Roca Sales, Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). Photo: EFE

Leite denied that authorities have been slow to respond to the cyclone, reporting that 17 SMS warnings were sent to residents of the affected towns, but that many did not want to leave their homes because they had not anticipated the magnitude of the disaster.

Both the governor and the Minister of Integration and Regional Development, Waldez Góes, assured that the mathematical models behind the weather forecasts failed and that they expected a lower percentage of precipitation than was ultimately the case.

“The rate was higher than what the models indicated; They were aiming for about 150 millimeters and in many regions it rained 300 millimeters,” said Leite.

While river levels are already beginning to drop, the governor warned that more rain is expected in the coming days and that “new events may occur”.

In addition to the 31 deaths in Rio Grande do Sul, a fatal accident was also recorded in the neighboring state of Santa Catarina on Monday as a result of a tree falling. (JO)