A tornado hit the southern Brazilian state of Paraná, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, according to the state government’s announcement. The town of Rio Bonito do Iguacu was particularly hard-hit late Friday, with the state’s civil defense agency reporting significant destruction, including roof collapses and structural failures affecting over half of the urban area.
The intense storm also blocked roads and damaged power lines. Reports indicate that 437 people required medical treatment for injuries, and around 1,000 residents were displaced due to the disaster. The nearby city of Guarapuava experienced similar impacts.
The Paraná Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring System recorded tornado wind speeds ranging from 180 kph (111 mph) to 250 kph (155 mph), signifying the extreme nature of the weather event. In response to the devastation, Institutional Relations Minister Gleisi Hoffmann is set to visit the affected area alongside acting Health Minister Adriano Massuda and other federal officials to coordinate relief and reconstruction efforts.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences via social media, assuring the public of ongoing support for the residents of Paraná. “We will continue to assist the people of Paraná and provide all the help needed,” he stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to aid those affected.
This incident comes amid a backdrop of severe weather patterns in the region, including recent flooding in Argentina and disastrous tornadoes impacting other areas, demonstrating the urgent need for continued disaster preparedness and community resilience. As Brazil rallies to support its citizens in the wake of this tragedy, there is hope that recovery efforts will restore stability to the impacted communities and prevent future occurrences of such devastating weather events.
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