MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, Aug. 20 (UPI) — More than 6,600 people have been displaced and about 1,000 homes have been damaged throughout Uruguay due to flooding caused by heavy rains.
The heavy rains began last week and caused rivers to rise above the designated safe threshold. The cities of Durazno, Treinta y Tres, Tacuarembó, Rivera, Artigas and Soriano were affected by the flooding.
Durazno is the most affected, as 6,459 of people of the total 6,611 people displaced resided in that city. The Yí River near Durazno has reached levels nearly 12 meters in height, above the safe threshold of about 8.6 meters. The river receded to about 9 meters as of Thursday, according to Uruguay’s National Emergency System.
People evacuated from Durazno are currently housed in three temporary shelters.
The National Emergency System is continuing relief efforts.
“Work is coordinated among provincial governments and the national bodies at national level,” the agency said in a statement. “In this scheme of work, the food, health and security of displaced persons is guaranteed. The national authorities will monitor the evolution of the event permanently.”
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