More heavy rain is expected in Brazil as the country continues to deal with the aftermath of last week’s extreme weather, which has devastated entire neighbourhoods. The floods have killed at least 107 people in Rio Grande do Sul, according to the state’s civil defence agency. Around 1,476,000 people have been affected, with at least 754 injured and approximately 164,000 displaced. Additionally, 134 people are still missing.

The flooding has led to social unrest, with 47 people arrested for looting and other crimes. Six of these arrests are related to sexual abuse in shelters for those displaced by the floods. Officials are warning residents not to return to their homes due to more rain being forecasted. The National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) emphasized that the expected rainfall could cause further disruptions in areas already affected.

The record rainfall has been linked to El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon that warms Pacific waters and brings heavy rain to southern Brazil. Long-term global warming, primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, has also intensified extreme weather in the region.

In response to communication disruptions caused by the storms, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced that Starlink will donate 1,000 internet terminals to emergency responders in the region. Rio Grande do Sul’s government estimates it will need $3.7 billion to rebuild.

The storms have also impacted neighbouring Uruguay, displacing around 1,347 people and leaving thousands without electricity, according to the national emergency system.