Dramatic footage shows an iconic World Cup soccer stadium left completely flooded after days of heavy rain battered Brazil.
“Apocalyptic” floods have caused widespread destruction in the south of the country, killing at least 100 people.
Brazil’s Estadio Beira Rio has been shut down in Rio Grande do Sul state’s “worst disaster” as heavy rains batter the country.
Shocking drone footage shows a stadium submerged in water after devastating floods hit Brazil last week.
Porto Alegre’s stadium, home of the Sporting Club Internacional, will not host any matches until at least May 27.
The 50,000-seater stadium hosted five matches during the 2014 World Cup.
It became the latest stadium to be closed due to major flooding, after the state’s Gremio Arena and Estadio Alfredo Jaconi were also flooded.
Video shows local residents using small boards and surfboards to get around, and hundreds of homes submerged with only their roofs visible.
The flood-hit country is still reeling from the disaster and emergency services continue to try to rescue survivors.
Heavy rains have claimed at least 100 lives and left another 130 missing in Rio Grande do Sul state.
The floods affected approximately 400 municipalities and caused major destruction across the state, forcing 230,000 residents to evacuate.
Rescue efforts were called off as forecasters predicted more rain and strong winds over the weekend.
Flooding began last week, destroying highways and bridges in Rio Grande do Sul state.
Footage shows cars being swept away and a bridge completely obliterated by strong currents.
On Tuesday, Governor Eduardo Leite warned that the human toll could increase as the state of emergency “continues to develop” in the state capital. porto Alegre and other cities and towns.
The governor of the state, Eduardo Leite, spoke at a lecture. news At a meeting earlier this week, residents were urged to evacuate as expected heavy rains could cause more severe flooding.
“It’s not time to go home,” he said.
Authorities urged people not to return to the affected areas due to the risk of landslides and mudslides. health danger.
Civil defense spokeswoman Sabrina Rivas warned on Wednesday that “contaminated water can transmit diseases.”
Estadio Beira Rio was one of the 12 venues used for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, hosting five matches of the tournament.
Estadio Beira – Rio
Estadio Beira Rio, home of Brazilian sports club Internacional, was one of 12 venues used for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Five matches were held in the tournament.
- France – Honduras June 15, 2014
- Australia – Netherlands, June 18, 2014
- South Korea – Algeria, June 22, 2014
- Nigeria – Argentina, June 25, 2014
- Germany – Algeria, June 30, 2014
Hernani de Freitas, mayor of El Dorado do Sul state, said the city was completely evacuated and recovery would take at least a year.
Authorities estimate it will cost up to £745 million to clean up the damage.
porto Approximately 1.4 million people live in Alegre.
The Guaiba River flows through the state porto The Alegre River has reached historic levels and five dams are at risk of bursting, two of which are in “immediate” danger.