On May 10th, the Brazil Civil Defense bulletin released the following official data on the main damages caused by the floods in the state of Rio Grande do Sul:
- Dead: 114 people
- Missing: 146 people
- Affected: 2 million people
- 327 thousand people had to leave their homes
- 68 thousand people are living in makeshift shelters
- More than 85% of Rio Grande do Sul's territory is flooded
- More than 400 municipalities were affected
- Infrastructure: destruction of bridges and roads
- Estimated material losses: US$ 3.663 billion
Since the beginning of the meteorological contingency, the national and state governments have implemented assistance plans for the affected, together with various sectors of society, which established a chain of solidarity for the distribution of food, drinking water, and medicines, along with rescue and relocation tasks for affected individuals.
Porto Alegre: critical point
The origin of the phenomenon was excessive rainfall in the region, with water flowing through rivers and the lowest depressions in the topography of the area. This generated four watersheds in the basin: one from Taquari (west of Porto Alegre); from Farroupilha (north); from Taquara (northeast); and from Gravatai (west), which converged in the Guaíba River, in front of Porto Alegre. From there, the waters slowly followed their course to finally flow into the Laguna de Los Patos.
The Salgado Filho International Airport in Porto Alegre/RS, completely flooded.
President Lula greets Rio Grande do Sul Governor Eduardo Leite upon his arrival in the disaster area.
Statement from ABICALÇADOS
The Brazilian Footwear Industries Association -ABICALÇADOS- in view of the impacts caused by the greatest climatic tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul, a hub that concentrates 24% of Brazilian footwear production, committed to strengthening the movement to rebuild communities and industries in the regions affected by the floods. "Currently, Rio Grande do Sul has more than 1,800 companies that manufacture footwear and provide direct employment to more than 85,000 people," reported the entity.
Confirmed fair in São Paulo
Teams from the Brazilian Footwear Industries Association -ABICALÇADOS- and NürnbergMesse Brasil, organizers of BFSHOW, have spent the last few days listening to and receiving exhibitors, especially those located in the affected areas. At this moment, the fair has an even more important role for the industries of Rio Grande do Sul, as it is essential for the continuity of these businesses and, consequently, the maintenance of jobs and incomes for families affected by the catastrophe. BFSHOW will take place from May 21st to 23rd at the Transamerica Expo Center in São Paulo/SP, where all exhibiting brands, including those affected in Rio Grande do Sul, will present their Spring/Summer collections.
Factories completely flooded, after the passage of the flood, with machines and equipment rendered useless.
Consequences of the floods
In addition to the damage caused to many footwear industry companies -factories and suppliers- there has been deterioration in communication routes and infrastructure in general, which hinders the transport of supplies, materials, and components for production. And also, the normal transportation of personnel to workplaces.
Among the hundreds of industries affected by the phenomenon, here are some specific cases where their situation was reported.
- BEIRA RIO, for example, which has 11 factories in Rio Grande do Sul, had two plants affected in Igrejinha and Roca Salves, in addition to two third-party establishments in Sinimbu and Três Coroas.
- BOTTERO, in Parobé, suspended activities and reported day off of personnel in its headquarters and branches, which live in risk areas.
- Three manufacturing units of TRAVESSEIRO temporarily suspended their activities.
- BEBECÊ, with total loss of its stock, and VARIETTÁ in Três Coroas, were also affected by the waters.
- In the same area, FURLANETTO Shoes, which produces the CECCONELLO brand, reported the almost total destruction of its factory and the loss of a large part of the stock.
- PICCADILLY Shoes, in Igrejinha, suspended its activities for several days, and is slowly resuming production.
- In the case of USAFLEX, with four factories in Parobé, Igrejinha, Campo Bom, and Dos Irmãos, it decided to grant leave to its 3,200 workers for 15 days.
- In the area, the QUINTIN and EVAFORMULA insole factories were also affected by the tragedy and are focused on the reconstruction of their plants.
Numerous industries lost their stocks, facing the unstoppable advance of the waters.
