The city of São Leopoldo faces an alarming situation due to the continuous increase in level of Rio dos Sinos, which has already reached the mark of 4.88 meters. This critical level was confirmed in measurement carried out at 8pm this Wednesday (1st) by the Civil Defense in Rua da Praia, a location close to the headquarters of the Secretariat of the Environment. With the river rising at around 2 centimeters per hour, authorities’ concern is palpable, and a state of alert has been officially declared.
The situation is worsened by the recent history of intense rainfall in the region, which recorded more than 280mm in the last four days. With forecasts pointing to an accumulation that could reach 600mm by next Friday (3), the risk of severe flooding is imminent. The weather forecast offers no relief, suggesting that rain will continue to fall heavily over São Leopoldo and neighboring areas, contributing to the rise in river levels.
In response to this growing threat, São Leopoldo City Hall chose to cancel classes in municipal schools this Thursday (2), aiming to guarantee the safety of students, teachers and staff. This preventive decision reflects the seriousness of the situation, as the city’s streets are already beginning to show signs of flooding.
To face this emergency, a task force was established involving several government departments and bodies. This operational group is prepared to act in the removal of families from the most affected areas. The Flood Contingency Plan (Placon) has already been activated, outlining the responsibilities of each participating entity, including the Fire Department, Military Brigade and the 19th Motorized Infantry Battalion.
Places such as Paróquia Santo Inácio de Loyola and other shelters in the São Geraldo and Feitoria neighborhoods are ready to receive families who need to evacuate their homes. Furthermore, the Fire Department headquarters on Avenida João Corrêa serves as General Headquarters to centralize all logistics and transport operations necessary during this crisis.
Meanwhile, teams from the Municipal Water and Sewage Service (Semae) and Civil Defense monitor other potentially vulnerable areas, checking critical installations such as the Campina Pump House and others, to ensure that containment measures are in place.
The next few days will be crucial for São Leopoldo, as the city prepares for more rain and potential flooding. Collaboration between government agencies, the readiness of emergency responders, and the cooperation of citizens will be essential to navigating this challenge. The community is on alert, and authorities continue to ask that everyone follow safety guidelines and be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
