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Brazil drought triggers state of
emergency
Brazil's government declared a
state of emergency Tuesday which
affected over 253 towns in the
states of Rio Grande do Sul,
Parana and Santa Catarina, in
the south of the nation, due to
a major drought.
Santa Catarina state was in the
most serious situation in the
region, as 195 out of its 293
towns had declared a state of
emergency. Losses of 286 million
U.S. dollars were registered up
to July 12, according to the
emergency forces.
In the state of Parana, there
are 42 towns at risk with 22
being monitored closely. The
main problem caused by the
drought is the major threat to
the generation of electricity,
as the reservoirs supporting
hydroelectric plants are 75
percent below their maximum
level.
Rio Grande do Sul is the least
affected state but it still has
16 towns endangered, three of
which have serious problems
concerning drinking water
supplies.
Marcio Luiz Alves, Captain of
local emergency forces, said the
drought had also caused social
problems, as many peasants have
had to leave for urban centers
because of a lack of resources
in their hometowns.
He added that the federal
government had not yet answered
any of the states' requests for
help.
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