Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul has been devastated by heavy rains. 39 people have died in this state so far due to the rains of several days. 70 people are missing. Local authorities informed this information on Friday. The death toll is expected to rise further.

According to the report of the news agency Reuters, it has been raining heavily since last Monday in the state of Lagoa Rio Grande do Sul, bordering Argentina and Uruguay. Locally, 497 cities of the state have been affected. In addition to death and disappearances, at least 24,000 people have been displaced in these cities.

“We will be able to reach many areas in the next few days,” state governor Eduardo Leite told reporters on Friday. Then the number of deaths may change.

The rain has flooded streets in several cities along the Rio Grande do Sul. Several roads and bridges have been severely damaged. Apart from this, landslides occurred due to the storm. A local hydroelectric power station reservoir has partially collapsed. Another reservoir is also in danger of collapsing. Local residents have been ordered to evacuate.

The geographic location of Rio Grande do Sul often exposes it to extreme weather conditions. Sometimes it rains heavily. Sometimes drought occurs again. According to local scientists, the weather there is becoming more extreme as a result of climate change.

Meanwhile, Brazilian President Lula da Silva visited the state last Thursday amidst the disaster. He went there and discussed the rescue operation with the governor of the state.