Extreme floods such as the climate disaster in Rio Grande do Sul, in May 2024, They can be five times more frequent. This is what a study by the National Agency for Water and Basic Sanitation (ANA).
The research “The floods in Rio Grande do Sul: lessons, challenges and ways for a resilient future” presents several analyzes on gaucho tragedy, pointing out causes and consequences after the floods. The study also makes projections for the future and points ideas to prevent new tragedies.
Ana explains that, and can become five times more frequent, extreme events that today occur, on average, every 50 years, They can happen in the future every 10 years, on average.
Projections also indicate that maximum flow rates of the southern rivers during floods can increase by 20%expanding the impacts of events such as 2024. In the Porto Alegre Metropolitan Region, bathed by Guaíba, this increase can result in an increase of 50 cm to one meter at water levels.
Consequences of the tragedy
The material also recalls the negative impacts of the tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul, which affected 478 of the 479 cities from Rio Grande do Sul, with almost 2.4 million people impacted. 184 deaths and 806 injured were confirmed ,. About 146,000 people were displaced and more than 50,000 were homeless.
According to the study, floods also highlighted the “vulnerabilities existing in urban planning, water resources management and risk communication to the population”.
According to a survey conducted by the Brazil Geological Service (SGB), the maximum level reached by Guaíba in Porto Alegre was 5.37 meters at Cais Mauá C6 station. The record was 60 cm higher to the full during the flood in 1941 in the city center, 4.75 m.
The research also concludes that “Rio Grande do Sul is particularly susceptible to fast and intense floods”, as it is bathed by two major watersheds (Uruguay River and Lagoa dos Patos), which favor the rapid flow of water.
Paths for the Future
The initiative also points means to “the construction of a resilient future“, Citing possible improvements in infrastructure, culture and administration of the state state. Read some points presented below:
- The extreme rain of 2024 should be considered as possible scenario for planning not only in Rio Grande do Sul, but also in other regions
- Continuous monitoring: Expand coverage in critical areas (such as basin headwaters), implement redundancy in sensors and reduce data transmission interval
- Knowledge and technology as allies preventing new disasters and reconstruction after the tragedy
- Alert systems To reduce losses and damage
The study presented by ANA is the result of the work of the Advisory Technical Group for Hydrological Studies and Safety of Reservoir Infrastructure and Full Protection in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (GTA RS). The Commission analyzes and proposes guidelines and strategies for the reconstruction of areas affected by climate events.
The research was conducted in partnership with the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Geological Service of Brazil, Federal University of Rio Grande, Federal University of Pelotas and the University of Brasilia.
