Nature showed its wildest side in Brazil
Well, Mother Nature decided that Friday night in Paraná was the perfect time for a disaster movie-style apocalyptic episode. A tornado of those that does not warn with a little message of “are you home?” It devastated everything, leaving a tragic toll of six dead and a number of injured that number in the hundreds. The authorities, with that “this is serious” face they wear, confirmed the disaster. Imagine the scene: dozens of houses, that place where you keep your printed memes and your houseplant collection, reduced to rubble in a matter of minutes. A true chaos in high definition.
This meteorological phenomenon, which was basically the older and problematic brother of a common storm, reached speeds of more than 250 km/h. To give you an idea, it’s as if a high-speed train passed through your living room without paying rent. The situation was so critical that the local government had no choice but to declare a state of emergency, which is the official version of “everyone put on your helmet, things are ugly.” Hours after the event, uncertainty was still present, with at least one person reported missing, adding more drama to this sad story.
Victims and a response in crisis mode
Among the deceased, five were adults and one was a teenager of just 14 years old, a brutal reminder that these events do not discriminate. The health system was put on maximum alert, serving more than 750 people. In that group there were everything from children to pregnant women, because the tornado clearly did not check the guest list. At least ten people had to undergo surgery and nine remained in serious condition, fighting for their lives. The post-tornado landscape was desolate: uprooted trees, vehicles overturned like toys, and roofs that decided to take flight without warning. An authentic Dantesque scenario that no one expected at the end of the week.
As expected, the official response was immediate. Governor Carlos Massa Ratinho Jr. declared three days of state mourning, which is the protocol way of saying “we are mourning, respect.” The majority of the fatalities were from the municipality of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu, with one from Guarapuava. Even President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva joined the chorus of condolences through social networks, because today even condolences are digital. His cabinet got to work and activated the sending of urgent humanitarian assistance to the affected area.
The aid, which is the closest thing to a basic survival kit in these circumstances, includes food, personal hygiene products, tarps to improvise shelters, mattresses and other essential items. A small light in the midst of so much darkness for families who have lost almost everything. Solidarity, at least, is the last thing that is lost.
Were you shocked by this news? Share it on your social networks to keep your community informed and explore more content about extreme weather events on our site.
