Inmet Issues Red Alerts as Violent Storms Pound Brazil’s South

Overview

• Strong storms struck the South on Monday, producing gusts over 100 km/h in multiple Rio Grande do Sul towns, collapsing a vacant building in Pelotas and leaving at least one person seriously injured after a fall from a roof.
• The National Institute of Meteorology issued a red-level warning covering hundreds of municipalities that warns of more than 60 mm in one hour, daily totals above 100 mm, winds above 100 km/h and possible hail.
• Utilities reported widespread power loss with more than 930,000 points without electricity early Monday and roads blocked by fallen poles and debris, creating immediate safety and mobility problems.
• Forecasters say the event is driven by a cyclone moving from the Argentine coast and a cold front that will keep heavy rain and strong winds through Tuesday before a polar air mass reduces instability later in the week.
• State Defesa Civil offices, emergency services and energy companies are operating high-risk alerts, urging people to seek shelter, avoid flooded areas and register for local warnings while authorities assess landslide and flood risk in saturated valleys.