The BRICS Bank has announced it will make funds available to help reconstruct Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.
The region has been severely affected by heavy rains over recent weeks, resulting in floods and mudslides.
At least 145 people have lost their lives and hundreds of thousands have been forced from their homes.
The president of BRICS Bank, also known as the New Development Bank, Dilma Rousseff, says the bank will help with the reconstruction of the infrastructure of municipalities and businesses – and will make the funds available soon. Roussef has a home in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, and has been following the situation.
Meanwhile, river levels have risen once again as heavy rains continue to lash already waterlogged parts of southern Brazil. Rio Grande do Sul residents have been battling downpours for two weeks, resulting in rivers bursting their banks, sending muddy waters into towns. Experts are blaming climate change, made worse by the El Nino weather phenomenon. More than two million people have been affected by the deluge.
Authorities are warning the ongoing rains could cause further flooding and landslides – putting more pressure on search and rescue teams, still searching for at least 130 missing people. Parts of Porto Alegre, which is home to 1.4 million people, remain underwater. Meteorologists say heavy rains will continue for the next day or two with more than 100mm per day expected in some areas.
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