The government of Mato Grosso do Sul declared a state of emergency for the municipalities of Coxim and Rio Negro following heavy storms that impacted the region in February. The decree, issued on this past Thursday, grants validity for 180 days and enables state agencies to mobilize efforts for rescue, reconstruction, and recovery in the affected areas. These emergency measures will assist in addressing the infrastructure damages and provide support to the communities most severely affected by the storms.

The declaration came after a municipal emergency measure was put in place on February 4, when Coxim experienced a significant storm characterized as a 'Convective Local Storm – Intense Rainfall'. According to the regional Ministry of Development, the storms caused considerable damage to rural roads and urban streets, obstructing access to riverside communities and overwhelming the local government's capacity to respond effectively to the emergency conditions.

The State Civil Defense also issued a favorable technical opinion, underscoring the imperative need for state-level support to address the impacted regions. The situation highlights the challenges posed by the recent extreme weather conditions and the government's commitment to providing necessary assistance to affected communities in both Coxim and Rio Negro.