Two years after the deadly floods, southern Brazil fears the return of extreme rainfall linked to El Niño.

Residents of southern Brazil are bracing for another potentially devastating weather event. While many communities are still rebuilding after the historic floods of 2024, meteorologists are warning of the possible arrival of a particularly intense El Niño phenomenon that could bring further extreme rainfall.

In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the traces of the disaster remain visible. In Porto Alegre, the regional capital, destroyed houses, vacant lots and numerous construction sites still serve as reminders of the scale of the floods that had submerged the region two years earlier.

The floods of May 2024 are considered the worst ever recorded in Brazil. They caused the deaths of at least 181 people and forced thousands of residents to flee their homes. The damage affected infrastructure, businesses, farms, and large urban areas.

Faced with forecasts predicting a strengthening of El Niño, authorities and residents are increasing their vigilance. This climatic phenomenon is generally associated with heavier rainfall in certain regions of South America, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides.

In Porto Alegre, several prevention projects are underway, including the reinforcement and widening of dikes designed to protect the most vulnerable areas. Local authorities are also seeking to improve early warning systems and water management infrastructure to prevent a repeat of the 2024 disaster.

For many residents, anxiety remains high. Many are still rebuilding their homes or trying to regain economic stability after the losses suffered during previous floods. The prospect of another episode of extreme rainfall reignites fears that reconstruction efforts will be wiped out.

As experts closely monitor the evolution of El Niño, southern Brazil faces a major challenge: completing its reconstruction while preparing for a climate risk that could test the progress made since the historic disaster of 2024.