The death toll from devastating floods ravaging the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has surged to at least 84, according to officials from the state's civil defense unit.

Reports indicate that 276 individuals have sustained injuries, while the fate of at least 111 people remains unknown amidst the chaos. With over 121,000 residents displaced by the disaster, the scale of the crisis is immense, affecting more than 850,000 people across 345 municipalities. Homes, roads, and bridges lie in ruins as communities grapple with the aftermath of the floods.

Images depicting muddy waters engulfing rooftops highlight the severity of the situation, as rescue teams deploy inflatable rafts to evacuate stranded individuals, including pets. Rio Grande do Sul, no stranger to extreme weather events, has faced escalating challenges in recent years, with September's sub-tropical cyclone claiming the lives of 54 people in the state.

The unfolding tragedy underscores the broader impact of the climate crisis, attributed primarily to human-induced activities such as the burning of fossil fuels. Across the globe, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, exacerbating the vulnerability of communities already grappling with environmental challenges.

As Brazil mourns the loss of lives and struggles to recover from the devastation, calls for urgent action to address the root causes of climate change grow louder. The plight of Rio Grande do Sul serves as a poignant reminder of the pressing need for concerted efforts to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and build resilience in the face of a changing climate. (ILKHA)