Introduction
The climate tragedy that hit Rio Grande do Sul in 2024 left deep scars on the population and the environment. With the possibility of a strong El Niño from the second half of the year, the fear of a new climate tragedy is growing. In this article, we will analyze the impacts of the 2024 climate tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul, based on a new study by the IBGE.
The Special Survey on the 2024 Floods in Rio Grande do Sul (PEERS)
The PEERS was released in July 2026 and shows that the 2024 climate tragedy affected more than 6 million people in the state, more than half of the population at the time. Additionally, the total number of households in the areas most affected by the floods is estimated at 2.3 million.
Impacts on the Population
According to the survey, 25% of respondents said they now live in households with worse conditions than in May 2024. For 18%, living conditions improved, while 57% said they are in similar housing to what they lost. Furthermore, two out of three gaúchos reported a blow to their mental health due to the floods.
Economic Impacts
The survey also shows that structural damage to houses was more frequent in the population segment that earns up to R$ 2,000. Although households with this level of income represent 24.6% of the total survey, they are 31.4% of those who had damage to their properties.
Conclusion
The 2024 climate tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul left deep scars on the population and the environment. It is essential that measures be taken to prevent and mitigate the impacts of future climate tragedies.
Source / Reference
Source: ClimaInfo