Earlier this Friday, the Rio dos Sinos, in São Leopoldo, reached an impressive 6.87 meters, marking a new record since the historic flood of 2013. Civil Defense, which monitored the situation through the ruler located on Rua da Praia , reported a continuous increase in the river level, which was rising at around 6 to 7 centimeters per hour, a clear indication of the rapidly worsening situation.
Since last Saturday, São Leopoldo has been hit by torrential rains that contributed to the abrupt rise of the river, exacerbated by runoff from its streams and tributaries. This dramatic rise in water levels has already caused significant flooding in riverside areas, directly affecting the lives and properties of residents.
The city of São Leopoldo, anticipating the seriousness of the scenario, established a special Task Force, which has been working non-stop for the last 72 hours. This group’s main mission is to evacuate families from the most vulnerable areas, such as Loteamento São Geraldo and the Feitoria neighborhood, which are among the most affected. Streets such as Alberto Ramos, Otto Daudt and Carlos Bier are among the areas where the presence of rescue teams is most intense, even using boats to reach and rescue residents isolated by the water.
In addition to active rescue, more than 400 people have been forced to leave their homes and are now accommodated in temporary shelters. These places, such as St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish and Padre Arturo Spirituality Center, are providing refuge and basic resources for the victims of this tragedy.
The situation also impacted traffic in the region, with the Municipal Civil Guard having to stop the flow of vehicles on Avenida Imperatriz, one of the city’s main roads, after flooding compromised the Parque Imperatriz area and its surroundings. The recommendation for those who need to travel through the East Zone is to use Avenida Feitoria as an alternative route.
The community of São Leopoldo, together with the authorities, is facing one of the biggest challenges ever recorded as a result of natural phenomena. The next few hours and days will be crucial for controlling the situation, while all efforts are focused on the well-being and safety of affected citizens.
This event will test the appropriate preparations and infrastructure to face crisis situations like this, in addition to the coordinated response between all levels of government and civil society. The response to this catastrophe will not only test the resilience and unity of the São Leopoldo community, it will also serve as a crucial reminder of the relentless force of nature.
