Marcos and I went to São José yesterday again. Things seem a little better, the city is cleaner now, a lot of machines are working there to rebuild the bridges and to clear up the ways. They say they have enough clothes for the time being. Donations arrived from all over Brazil. Army is there, national force is there, a lot of volunteers. Stores in downtown were open, but only in downtown.
The company I work for, sent 30 volunteers to help people clean houses, streets and everything else that was needed.
They already have electricity in downtown. Some neighborhoods still do not have electricity. Drinkable water still a problem, but many companies and people are donating this item.
I have heard that Petrópolis` mayor asked people not to send clothes to Itaipava anymore, they also have enough. Sérgio was supposed to check if we could have access to Brejal (also part of Petrópolis). They are isolated until today. Helicopters are the only ones having access to them.
As for Vale do Cuiabá in Itaipava, things are tough and people will not be allowed to return to their houses or their belongings. The river has changed its course permanently and that was the reason for this terrible catastrophe there. What was a small stream is now a large river. It took so amny houses for itself ! No one can live there anymore. They are going to transform the place into a fluvial park (meaning that the lands there, now belongs to the river)
So far the news is that there are 803 dead in Teresópolis, Friburgo, Petrópolis and Sumidouro. No recorded deaths so far known in São José, Areal nor in Bom Jardim.
That is the situation right now, as far as I found out.
We are still collecting donations and continuing distribution.
Camila Guerra
Social Service Secretary
Centro De Yoga
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