The municipality of Porto Alegre considers the reports of alligators in the flooded areas credible, but does not confirm any cases.
As Lake Guaíba advances through the neighborhoods spared in the first days of the flood that hit Porto Alegre, the regions characterized until a few days ago by urban bustle have begun to record scenes typical of wild environments.
On Tuesday afternoon (5/7), volunteers and environmentalists reported on social media that alligators were roaming the flooded streets of the Menino Deus neighborhood, which with around 100,000 inhabitants is one of the most traditional in the capital and was honored in song namesake of the composer Caetano Veloso.
Widely shared videos and photos show the reptiles swimming alongside walls and fences that would belong to the neighborhood.
Until 7pm on Tuesday (7/5), the Secretariat for the Environment, Urban Planning and Sustainability (Smamus) of the Municipality of Porto Alegre limited itself to confirming the existence of reports received from volunteers and residents regarding sightings of alligators in flooded areas.
The secretariat’s technical staff had not captured, sighted or recorded images of these animals.
The heavy rains that have been hitting Rio Grande do Sul since last week have already caused at least 95 deaths and affected 401 of the 497 municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul.
Porto Alegre was particularly affected due to the overflowing of the Guaíba, whose water level reached 5.28 meters, four meters above the volume considered normal, according to the city’s Integrated Services Coordination Center.
What the Ministry of the Environment says
“During the morning and afternoon of this Tuesday (7), reports of sightings of small alligators mobilized the Smamus Wildlife team to carry out inspections in several flooded areas of the city,” the secretariat informed in a statement released Tuesday evening.
In the afternoon, the ministry said, after the first reports received in Smamus, rescue volunteers and secretariat employees joined forces to search the Menino Deus neighborhood, but they did not locate the animal.
“It should therefore be noted that none of the shared images of alligators were recorded by Smamus,” the agency concludes.
Previously, at 12.36pm, the secretariat had confirmed in a note that the animal had been seen in Menino Deus.
“The Wildlife team of the Municipal Secretariat for the Environment, Urban Planning and Sustainability (Smamus) confirms the sighting of a small alligator in the flooded region of Menino Deus, on the morning of this Tuesday (7)”, we read in Smamus’ text.
BBC News Brasil has also sought contact with Ibama (Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) and with the Environmental Command of the Military Brigade, which are also participating in actions in the flooded municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul, but has not received response until the closure of this report.
More alligators
Before the recent big floods, an alligator spotted by people in Parque do Pontal, near Barra Shopping Sul and the Fundação Iberê Camargo headquarters, south of Porto Algre, led Smamus to carry out educational activities to guide the population on what to do and what not to do is in the presence of these animals.
Just as the flooding of urban areas began earlier this month, residents also reported seeing an alligator on Avenida Severo Dullius, north of Porto Alegre. However, Smamus’ teams found no evidence of the animal’s presence.
On Tuesday (7/5), a man who identifies himself as volunteer biologist Theo, highlighted in a video posted on Instagram that the agency had confirmed the presence of alligators on Avenida Getúlio Vargas, the central axis of Menino Deus.
“Be careful, okay? These animals are on the banks, and the banks are inside the city now, okay? So, if you see one, it looks like a big log, don’t go near it, okay?”, warned the man.
The Smamus communications department confirms that it has received the report from the man, who is believed to be a Civil Protection volunteer.
Menino Deus was flooded on Monday afternoon (6/5) due to the pump going out in a municipal building.
With the closure, the water inside the pipe was discharged onto Menino Deus and the nearby neighborhood of Cidade Baixa.
Surviving in the Porto Alegre area has become a huge role-playing game. One day you will face rain, the next flood, the next water/electricity shortage, the next bandit will attack you, now today’s boss has to face an alligator.
What will it be tomorrow? Prostitute? Ounce? Lucifer? pic.twitter.com/L5kofDXsBZ
— Vinícius Oliveira (@choracadela1) May 7, 2024
Situation in Porto Alegre
According to the municipality, the flood situation in Porto Alegre is worst in two neighborhoods: Humaitá and Vila Farrapos, where the water level increased between Monday and Tuesday.
“There are thousands of people waiting for help in these areas, where there are practically only volunteers and some teams from the Municipality. There are many elderly people who have been without food and water for five days, on the roofs” said the deputy mayor of Porto Alegre , Ricardo Gomes (no party), in a press conference this Tuesday afternoon (7/5).
“We are appealing to anyone with a ship who can help us [nos resgates]. Jet skis, motor boats and even boats without a motor, because they can be towed by others,” she said.
Throughout Rio Grande do Sul, 159,000 people have had to abandon their homes and 48,800 of them live in shelters, according to data from the latest bulletin of the State Civil Protection, released this Tuesday afternoon.
The state government also estimates that 1.44 million people were affected by the extreme weather event. There are 372 injured and 131 missing.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
