An “extratropical cyclone” in southern Brazil leaves 11 dead

() — An “extratropical cyclone” hit the Brazilian state of Rio Grande Do Sul, leaving at least 11 dead and 2,330 homeless, according to local authorities.

At least 20 people are still missing, 18 of them in Caraá and two in Três Forquilhas.

On their trip to the most affected regions, government authorities have strengthened the role of the state relief structure and have called for “the solidarity of the population.” The governor of Rio Grande Do Sul, Eduardo Leite, said that the Military Fire Department has carried out close to 2,400 rescues in the last two days, although the operations are still ongoing.

“Our priority right now is to find the missing and save people who may still be stranded by the flooding,” Leite wrote in a statement. “We have all our teams on the ground, and the Ministry of Logistics and Transportation is already analyzing the compromised bridges and highways so that we can act urgently and provide free passage in these places.”

Meanwhile, the federal government has pledged to offer humanitarian aid and support reconstruction efforts.