Brasilia, May 13 (RHC)-- Brazilian authorities reported this Monday that due to the rains that hit the south of the country there are already 148 dead, 127 missing and 806 injured.

In the most affected region, Rio Grande do Sul, at least 147 deaths were reported, and in the state of Santa Catarina one death.  According to the latest Civil Defense bulletin, rains and floods have spread in Rio Grande do Sul, affecting 447 of the 497 municipalities and some 2.12 million inhabitants.

The authorities have had to house 80,826 people in schools, gyms and churches, while 538,241 are in the homes of family and friends.

On the other hand, 27,651 firefighters, military and police personnel participate in the rescue efforts with the support of 4,405 patrols, 41 aircraft and 340 boats, which have allowed the rescue of 76,470 people and 10,814 animals.

The water level of the rivers, which had already begun to decrease, has risen again and it is believed that the situation in the south of the country may worsen, since new storms with precipitation, cold and strong weather are expected in the coming days. gusts of wind.

The Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (Ufrgs) predicted that the water level of the Guaíba River, which flooded much of the historic center of Porto Alegre, may reach the historic mark of 5.5 meters in the coming days if the rain stops. maintains.

Municipalities in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul have been affected by new floods due to the flooding of the Taquari and Caí rivers that washed away the bridge that connected the cities of Caxias do Sul and Nova Petrópolis.

A maximum alert is maintained in the municipalities located on the coast of Lagoa dos Patos, where all the waters of the Guaíba flow, and where the water level continues to rise since last Thursday, causing flooding in cities such as Pelotas and Rio Grande.

The president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, announced that due to the serious floods registered in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, he decided to postpone his trip to Chile scheduled for this Thursday to meet with his counterpart, Gabriel Boric.

According to the media, Lula da Silva could visit the region again this week, where thousands of people have had to leave their homes.