The government of Pernambuco announced that the search for the missing persons after the floods (and landslides) near Recife (northeast), has been concluded, one week after the disaster that left 128 people dead.
Paulo Camara, the state governor, stated that “Today, the search for missing” was over. This statement came after the body, which was a woman, of the last missing person, was found in the early hours. The governor said, “We offer our support to the loved ones and decrement a three-day of mourning for the 128 victims.”
Financial aid has been provided by the authorities to families who are in urgent situations. After the May disaster, more than 9,000 Recife residents lost their homes and were forced to live in temporary accommodation.
Brazil is especially affected by the deadly flooding and landslides this year. A similar tragedy left 233 dead in Petropolis, near Rio de Janeiro (southeast), in February.
Jose Marengo, a natural disaster specialist, told AFP that the extraordinary rainfall was caused by global warming. This is exacerbated by the uncontrolled urbanization which is common in Brazil.
Rain does not cause death. The rain that falls on homes in high-risk areas is what is fatal, said the coordinator of CEMADEN (National Center for Monitoring and Warning of Natural Disasters of Brazil). He said that authorities were guilty of allowing construction to be done in areas where people are poor and have no other options.