By Samantha Hënnzell
São Paulo: The climate in Brazil has five different standards, being equatorial, semi-arid, subtropical, temperate and tropical. This difference can influence the masses of air and changing temperatures. The rainfall causes regional differences in climate, ultimately leads to natural disasters.
In the southern hemisphere spring starts on September 21 and ends on December 21. During the season, there is an increase rainfall level in much of the south of the country, mainly in the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul; the southern and southeastern which are the hardest hit points.
In October 2015 severe rainstorm, the worst in the past four years, hit Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul which continued for almost a month. According to the Civil Defense, government agency responsible for monitoring risk areas, caused continous floods affecting 98 cities in the state of Santa Catarina.
The most affected cities were Abelardo Luz, Agronômica, Angelina, Caxambu do Sul, Chapadão do Lageado, Chapecó, Dona Emma, Itajaí, Ituporanga, Lebon Régis, Papanduva, Presidente Getúlio, Quilombo, Rio do Sul, Salete, São Cristóvão do Sul e Trombudo Central, located, mainly, in the west and midwest regions leaving 177 thousands people homeless.
In Rio Grande do Sul more than 177 thousands people were affected by the rain in 132 affected cities. Since October 7, the Federal government declared only 66 cities in flood emergency.
Strong winds and rain hail
In Santa Catarina, during the last 21 days, roof shingles were disrupted by the strong winds with the speed of over 120 km/h in more than 12 cities, and downed several trees. The month was marked by several hailstorms with hailstones of the size of a ping pong ball, destroying cars and houses.
According to the Civil Defense, there were several points of landslides and bridges impassable.
Trade activities will remain closed for another fortnight while classes will be suspended until the month of November.
According to the government agency, the losses were estimated over 8034.28 million in Pakistani Rupees. In Rio Grande do Sul approximately 1.2 million homes were partially damaged by the hailstorm. The wind also reached alarming rates in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, the state capital, with losses of up to PKR 1606.86 million.
Action of the Federal Government
On the morning of October 24, President Rousseff visited the State of Rio Grande do Sul to assess the damages caused by the rains. During the meeting, 66 municipalities were officially declared in the emergency situation. A federal team will remain in the state capital to guide employees of Municipalities, from next October 26.
According to the president, residents who recieved losses in cities with decreed emergency situation may withdraw up to PKR 166856 from the Guarantee Fund for Time of Service (FGTS). FGTS is a special fund designted for workers in Brazil. During the afternoon Dilma Rousseff will comply with the same agenda in the state of Santa Catarina.
