- Title: BRAZIL: Heavy flooding hits northwestern Brazil.
- Date: 8th May 2012
- Summary: IRANDUBA, BRAZIL (MAY 7, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF FLOODED HOUSES VARIOUS OF INSIDE HOUSE WITH FLOOR MADE OF WOOD VARIOUS OF INSIDE FLOODED HOUSE MAN COOKING GIRL WATCHING TELEVISION VARIOUS OF FEMALE OWNER OF HOUSE WINDOW OF HOUSE SHOWING FLOOD OUTSIDE (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) OWNER OF HOUSE, IVONE, SAYING: "No, it is not easy. Every time it rains we find ourselves asking God for it not to rain too much, because every time it rains, the floor gets submerged. We already have one new floor." VARIOUS OF FLOODED AREA
- Embargoed: 23rd May 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Brazil
- City:
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: Disasters,Environment
- Reuters ID: LVA61M1ET2UFWY5UME7FZKIKNBR5
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: In the Amazon forest of northwestern Brazil, heavy flooding has prompted officials to declare a state of emergency in 36 districts along the Rio Negro River.
In Iranduba, lawns have turned into lakes and residents are resorting to boats to get around.
Despite the near-record flooding which has made its way into the houses of area residents, many have nowhere to go and carry on their daily activities, hoping that the water subside.
River dwellers across the Amazon basin are adding new floors to their stilt homes, in an attempt to stay above floodwaters during the wet season.
Ivone said the wooden planks are a good temporary measure but she's not sure the new floor will withstand much more rain.
"No, it is not easy. Every time it rains we find ourselves asking God for it not to rain too much, because every time it rains, the floor gets submerged. We already have one new floor," she said.
Flooding is common in the world's largest tropical rainforest, but this year the waters have been rising at an alarming rate.
Brazil's federal government has announced 5.5 million U.S. dollars of aid to help the worst-hit areas, but the resources are not expected to be available until the end of June.
Amazonas state officials said they have spent over 450 million U.S. dollars to help displaced families.
Meanwhile, in Brazil's northeast, families have been have been suffering from an extended drought caused by La Nina, which cools down Pacific waters. The weather phenomenon is also responsible for the Amazon flooding. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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