Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul state is facing its worst disaster ever as heavy rains and mudslides have claimed 37 lives, with 74 people still missing. Governor Eduardo Leite declared a state of emergency as rescue operations race against time to find survivors trapped under collapsed structures. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva promised full support, mobilizing federal resources including 626 soldiers and various vehicles to aid in rescue and relief efforts. Climate change is believed to have intensified the extreme weather conditions, which have disrupted basic services and cut off entire communities.
