Flood-hit towns in South Brazil take stock of damage, rethink future
In just eight months, three historic floods have devastated entire towns in the Vale do Taquari region, which encompasses dozens of municipalities in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul state, South Brazil, where family farming had a strong presence and agriculture was a thriving industry.The scene after the most recent catastrophe resembles a war zone, with bridges destroyed, houses wrecked, rubble and mud piling up everywhere, and the people left distraught. The tragedy began late in April, with river floods observed in virtually all of the state’s municipalities.On Sunday (May 19), Agência Brasil visited locations where there are still blockades—towns like Roca Sales and Arroio do Meio, which are among the most heavily devastated. Until a week ago, major highways reaching the ca...