Southern Brazil is reeling from the aftermath of catastrophic floods and mudslides that have claimed the lives of at least 57 people and displaced nearly 70,000 residents, according to the country’s civil defense agency.

The devastating natural disaster has left a trail of destruction, with entire communities submerged and infrastructure severely damaged.

The toll of the disaster continues to rise, with at least 74 individuals injured and another 67 reported missing in the wake of the flooding and landslides.

Tragically, the toll also includes two individuals who perished in an explosion at a flooded gas station in Porto Alegre.

The state of Rio Grande do Sul has been particularly hard hit, with fast-rising water levels posing a grave threat to densely populated areas, including the economically significant city of Porto Alegre.

The historic flooding has overwhelmed dams and forced authorities to initiate large-scale evacuations to ensure the safety of residents.

Rescue efforts are underway, with emergency responders employing a variety of vehicles, including jet skis, to navigate through inundated neighborhoods and reach those stranded by the rising waters.

However, the sheer scale of the disaster has presented significant challenges, with access to many towns cut off and critical infrastructure compromised.

In addition to the staggering human toll, the flooding has disrupted essential services, leaving over a million people without access to clean water. The damage wrought by the disaster has been described as incalculable, prompting calls for substantial investment to rebuild affected areas.

Governor Eduardo Leite of Rio Grande do Sul has likened the situation to a “Marshall Plan,” emphasizing the need for comprehensive reconstruction efforts to address the widespread devastation.

Meanwhile, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has pledged support for the affected regions and emphasized the urgent need for climate action in the face of increasingly extreme weather events.