Severe rainfall in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul has resulted in the deaths of 39 individuals, with expectations that the toll will rise as dozens remain unaccounted for, according to local authorities on Friday. The civil defense authority of Rio Grande do Sul reported that 68 individuals are still missing, and over 24,000 have been displaced due to storms affecting more than half of the state's 497 cities, bordering Uruguay and Argentina.

Governor Eduardo Leite of Rio Grande do Sul cautioned that these figures could change significantly in the coming days as more areas become accessible to rescue teams. Many towns have experienced streets transformed into rivers, significant damage to roads and bridges, landslides, and the partial collapse of a dam at a small hydroelectric plant.

Another dam in Bento Goncalves is also under threat of collapsing, prompting authorities to order evacuation of nearby residents. In Porto Alegre, the state capital, flooding from the Guaiba river has inundated streets, blocking access to historic central neighborhoods.

Rio Grande do Sul sits at a convergence point between tropical and polar weather systems, resulting in a climate characterized by alternating periods of heavy rainfall and drought. Local scientists attribute the intensification of this pattern to climate change.

Last September, heavy rains caused by an extratropical cyclone led to floods claiming more than 50 lives in Rio Grande do Sul. This followed over two years of persistent drought due to the La Nina phenomenon, resulting in minimal rainfall.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the affected areas on Thursday to assess rescue operations alongside the governor. In Brasilia, President Lula pledged government support for local rescue and reconstruction efforts.