© Reuters

Before and after -

These shocking satellite images show an area of Porto Alegre before the flooding, on April 21 (top), compared to after the flooding on May 6 (bottom).

© Reuters

Airport closure -

The Salgado Filho International Airport in Porto Alegre drowning in floodwater on May 7, with a lone stranded plane left out on the flooded tarmac

© Reuters

Businesses destroyed -

A car rental business near the airport is submerged to an incredible depth.

© Reuters

Pitch under water -

A drone view shows the flooded Beira-Rio stadium in Porto Alegre on May 7. 

© Reuters

Survival instincts -

A lone dog swims through the deep floodwater in Humaita, Porto Alegre, on May 8. Great efforts are being made all over the state to rescue both stranded humans and animals. 

© Reuters

Rescue operation -

A drone view of the flooded neighborhood of Mathias Velho in Canoas. Boats with volunteers can be seen searching for people who became isolated in their homes.

© Reuters

River record -

The Guaíba River reached a record level of 5.33 meters (17.5 feet), which broke the previous record from 1941 when the water level rose 4.76 meters (15.6 feet).

© Reuters

Rainfall -

Over 300 millimeters (11.8 inches) of rain fell in some areas of the state in less than one week.

© Reuters

Stranded -

A man looks at the flooded area around his home in Canoas in Rio Grande do Sul state.

© Reuters

Destroyed farm -

A man walks by a farm destroyed by the flash floods.

© Reuters

Damaged vehicles -

Numerous vehicles were damaged by the floods in Encantado, Rio Grande do Sul.

© Reuters

Damage -

A man points to the devastation caused by the strong flood currents.

© Reuters

Drone -

A bird's eye-view of the flooded city center in Porto Alegre, the capital city of the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

© Reuters

Rescue -

A man is rescued by military firefighters in Canoas. Several people were left isolated, without access to communication.

© Reuters

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva looks at the floods in Porto Alegre -

"We need to stop running behind disasters. We need to see in advance what calamities might happen and we need to work," Lula told journalists after visiting the area.

© Reuters

Flood waters -

People waded through dirty flood waters in Canoas on May 5.

© Reuters

Rescue workers -

Rescue workers are seen standing by a flooded area near the Taquari River in Encantado, Rio Grande do Sul.

© Reuters

Some roads are inaccessible -

Numerous roads across the state were affected by the floods. This one is located in Lajeado.

© Reuters

The fourth environmental disaster in a year -

Floods had previously affected the state in July, September, and November 2023.

© Reuters

A rare safe spot -

Canoas resident Julio Manichesque walks on one of the few dry places: the roof of his house.

© Reuters

Church -

A church in Roca Sales, Rio Grande do Sul, after being devastated by the floods.

© Reuters

Displaced people -

More than 88,000 people had to leave their homes and move to shelters.

© Reuters

Evacuation -

Porto Alegre city center was evacuated due to the floods. An aerial image shows the empty and flooded city center streets.

© Reuters

Rescuing belongings -

Pictured: Encantado residents try to rescue their belongings near a flooded area close to the Taquari River.

© Reuters

Flooded road -

A man can be seen standing in front of a flooded road near the Taquari River in Encantado, Rio Grande do Sul.

© Reuters

Dogs -

Here, a woman and her dogs are rescued in Porto Alegre and wrapped in an emergency blanket on May 4.

© Reuters

Rescue boats -

Pictured: a number of people are rescued in Canoas on May 5.

© Reuters

Walking on the roof -

People are seen walking on the roof of a house in a flooded area in Encantado, Rio Grande do Sul.

© Reuters

Shop -

This shop was completely destroyed by the flash floods in Jacarezinho, Rio Grande do Sul.

© Reuters

Cats -

Pictured: a woman carries two cats as heavy rain falls in Encantado, Rio Grande do Sul.

© Reuters

Shelter -

Around 16,000 people took refuge in shelters. This one is located in Encantado, Rio Grande do Sul state.

© Reuters

Destroyed road -

People look at a road destroyed by the floods at Roca Sales in Rio Grande do Sul.

© Reuters

Rescue -

People are seen being rescued in Porto Alegre on May 4.

© Reuters

Submerged -

The municipality of Canoas was heavily affected by the floods.

© Reuters

Waiting for rescue -

Here, people wait to be rescued on the roof of a house in Canoas.

Sources: (Reuters) (AP) (BBC)

See also: Major cities under threat from natural disasters

© Reuters