Floods halt firms' operations in Brazil's south

Several Brazilian companies have suspended operations in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul because of heavy rainfall that has caused severe floods and infrastructure damage.

Flooding from the record rains has left at least 83 dead with 111 people missing, according to the state government. More than 23,000 people have been forced from of their homes amid widespread damage, including washed out bridges and roads across several cities.

The dam of the 100MW 14 de Julho hydroelectric plant, on the Antas River, ruptured last week under the heavy rains. Power generation company Companhia Energetica Rio das Antas, which runs the plant, implemented an emergency evacuation plan on 1 May.

• Brazilian steelmaker Gerdau that it suspended its operations in two mills at the state until it can ensure "people's protection and safety." The company did not disclose the produced volume of steel at those two mills.
• Logistics company Rumo partially interrupted operations and said that "damages to assets are still being properly measured".
• Petrochemical giant Braskem shut down its facilities at the Triunfo petrochemical complex as a preventive measure because of "extreme weather events" in the state, it said on 3 May. The company added there was no expected date to resume activities there. Braskem operates eight industrial units in Rio Grande do Sul that make 5mn metric tonnes/yr of basic petrochemicals, polyethylene and polypropylene, according to its website.

By Carolina Pulice