Authorities in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul have announced that nearly 70,000 people have left their homes due to the storm that swept through the region in recent days. More than 55 people have died as a result of heavy rains that have caused massive flooding and landslides. Rescue operations are currently underway in southern Brazilian cities, and as the situation worsens, volunteers are racing against time to find survivors trapped among the debris of collapsed homes, bridges, and roads. This natural disaster marks the fourth of its kind in one year, following floods in July, September, and November 2023, which collectively claimed 75 lives.
In related news, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) decided last night to postpone two matches: one in the Copa Libertadores and the other in the Copa Sudamericana, originally scheduled to take place in Porto Alegre, Brazil, this week due to the heavy rainfall in the area over the past few days. The government of Rio Grande do Sul declared a state of emergency last Thursday after very heavy rains hit the region. CONMEBOL stated in a release: "CONMEBOL has decided to postpone a Copa Libertadores match between Chile's Huachipato and Brazil's Grêmio, which was set for Wednesday, and a Copa Sudamericana match between Bolivia's Real Tomayapo and Brazil's Internacional, scheduled for Tuesday." The statement added: "We will announce the new dates for the two matches soon."
