Torrential rains have flooded much of the Rio Grande do Sul region of Brazil. At least 29 people have been killed by the floods, the authorities said in the last hours.

Over 60 people are missing and more than 10,000 people from 77 different municipalities have been forced to flee their homes. In total, 114 municipalities have been affected.

“We are going through what will be the biggest catastrophe in our state. It is a very critical moment, absolutely out of the ordinary”, said the state governor Eduardo Leite. “The situation in these municipalities is like a war, with destroyed roads and landslides”.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva assured every help of the national government will be offered “to go through and overcome this difficult moment”. The crisis meetings were lead as well by Marina Silva, the Environment Minister, who is a committed evangelical Christian.

The rains were expected to continue to increase in the region. Environmental experts said there was a link between these phenomena and climate change, as temperatures grew by 1.2ºC since the mid-19th century.

Evangelical churches affected

The floods have damaged not only roads, bridges and key infrastructure, but also homes, public buildings and churches. The Evangelical Alliance of Brazil has set up an emergency fund to help up to 20 churches in the region. “We are committed to our brothers. Let us remain in prayer”, they explain in a letter.

A member of an evangelical church in the Taquari Valley explained that the situation was “dramatic”. He described: “Roads are blocked, bridges have collapsed, asphalt has cracked, and walls are falling everywhere. A lot of rain has fallen in the Valley, as never before”.

This church member also spoke of forecast predicting “much more to come. We pray that the Lord will hold back the waters”, he added.

All the rivers in the region monitored by the authorities “are at levels that exceed the alert limits”. The armed forces are assisting in the evacuation and support efforts.