Brazilian railway operator Rumo has announced a partial interruption of its activities in southern Brazil due to heavy rains and flooding in Rio Grande do Sul, the country’s southernmost state.
According to state authorities, the ongoing crisis has resulted in 83 fatalities and 111 missing persons. The floods have triggered landslides, caused damages to homes, and blocked roads, forcing over 129,000 individuals to evacuate, with more than 20,000 seeking refuge in shelters.
The federal government has declared a state of calamity in 336 out of 495 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul to expedite the allocation of federal funds to support the affected areas.
Fraport Brasil, responsible for the international airport in Porto Alegre, has confirmed the continued closure of the airport until further notice. Ports and Airports Minister Silvio Costa Filho anticipates the reopening of the airport by May 10.
Rumo’s decision to halt operations follows similar announcements from other companies in the region. Braskem, the largest petrochemical group in Latin America, has ceased operations in Triunfo due to adverse weather conditions. Gerdau, a major steel producer, has also suspended activities in Rio Grande do Sul indefinitely.
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