Death toll from rains in southern Brazil rises to 78

São Paulo. The death toll from heavy rains that caused flooding in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul rose to at least 78, local authorities reported Sunday, while more than 115,000 people were displaced.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in Rio Grande do Sul on Sunday morning along with most members of his cabinet, to discuss rescue and reconstruction efforts with local authorities.

“Bureaucracy will not stand in our way, preventing us from recovering the greatness of the state,” Lula said at a press conference.

“It is a war scenario and will require post-war measures,” added the state governor, Eduardo Leite.

The death toll could rise considerably, with 105 reported missing on Sunday, up from 70 the previous day, according to the state civil defense authority. He also indicated that an investigation is underway to see if four other deaths are related to the storms.

The floods caused by storms in recent days have affected more than two-thirds of the almost 500 towns and cities in the state, bordering Uruguay and Argentina, leaving more than 115,000 people displaced.

Floods destroyed roads and bridges in several areas. The rains also caused landslides and the partial collapse of a dam at a small hydroelectric plant.

More than 400,000 people were without power Sunday night, while nearly a third of the state’s population lacked drinking water, according to authorities.

In Porto Alegre, the state capital, Lake Guaiba overflowed, reaching the highest water level on record, according to the national geological service. The international airport has suspended all flights since Friday.

In the city of Canoas, near Porto Alegre, Julio Manichesque, 76, was rescued by volunteers after staying on the roof of the house where he has lived for 52 years since Friday. “He had never seen so much water,” he said.

Many volunteers have also risked their own safety during rescue efforts, using small boats, jet skis and kayaks.

Fabiano Saldanha, 30, said he and three friends have rescued about 50 people with jet skis since Friday on islands that are part of Porto Alegre. “The only thing we hear when we enter a street is ‘help,’ ‘help,'” he said.

During his weekly address in Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis said Sunday that he is praying for the people of the state. “May the Lord receive the dead, comfort their families and all those who had to leave their homes,” he said.