Super Cougar” helicopter joins operations in Rio Grande do Sul as of Friday (8)
By First Lieutenant (RM2-T) Luciana Almeida – Brasília, DF
A UH-15 “Super Cougar” aircraft, from the Brazilian Navy (MB), arrives today (8) in the Taquari Valley, in Rio Grande do Sul, to reinforce Civil Defense support in assisting victims of the heavy rains that hit the region at the beginning of the week. The helicopter is larger and has the capacity to fly at night and carry more cargo and passengers.
Two Navy teams, with two vehicles and two boats, as well as a UH-12 “Esquilo” aircraft, have already been in the area since the start of the rescue and assistance operations, working under the coordination of the 5th Naval District Command, which is based in Rio Grande (RS).
The Navy units are rescuing people who are “marooned” and transporting support material and supplies. The Force also transports victims in need of emergency medical care to locations with adequate assistance.
The Navy’s role in helping the population of Rio Grande do Sul is a joint effort with the Brazilian Army, the Brazilian Air Force, Civil Defense and the Federal Highway Police. There are also aircraft and civil servants from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, as well as the Santa Catarina Fire Brigade and Military Police.
The heavy rains in the region have left several people isolated inside their homes and others on rooftops waiting for help by boat or helicopter. The floods have destroyed basic infrastructure, making it difficult for teams and residents to get around. In addition, roads were flooded as a result of the rivers overflowing. There were also collapses of barriers, bridge heads and landslides. The storms are a consequence of the Extratropical Cyclone that formed on Sunday (3).
As of September 7, the Civil Defense of Rio Grande do Sul has counted 80 municipalities affected and estimates the number of people affected in the state at over 62,000. At least 39 people died and almost 6,000 had to leave their homes (homeless and displaced). So far, 2,745 people have been rescued.
Source: Agência Marinha de Notícias