Sao Leopoldo – The intense rain that has hit the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre in recent days has raised the level of the Rio dos Sinos and put the residents of São Leopoldo on alert. According to the Civil Defense of the municipality, the river reached the mark of 4.31m this Saturday morning (15), exceeding the limit of 4.30m that indicates a risk of flooding. The tendency is for the river to continue rising, since in Campo Bom, upstream, the level is also rising.
Contingency plan
Faced with this scenario, the Civil Defense activated the Contingency Plan for Floods (Placon), which establishes the protocols and measures to be adopted in cases of natural disasters. The Civil Defense technical coordinator explained that the alert status means that there is a possibility of flooding in the river and that it is necessary to prevent the population. “We are visiting the most vulnerable areas, such as Rua da Praia and the end of Rua das Camélias, and advising residents on the necessary precautions,” he said.
The Placon provides for different levels of Civil Defense action depending on the height of the river:
- Up to 3.50m – status: observation
- Above 3.50m – status: attention / intensive monitoring
- Up to 4.30m + signs of elevation and/or forecast of new rains – flood warning
- Above 4.50m – status: beginning of reaching Rua da Praia and Rua das Camelias.
- Above 5.10 – status: alarm – start reaching Rua Alberto Ramos – Feitoria/São Geraldo.
Emergency
Civil Defense advises residents to be aware of signs of flooding and not to remain in places close to the river. In case of emergency, the contact phones are: 153 (Municipal Civil Guard), 193 (Military Fire Department), (51) 99117-8291 and (51) 98924-7852 (Civil Defense).
