3. - usaid

uildings along the path of its flow. An electric sub-stat:lm was also
damaged and 42 electric posts washed away. Losses were sewre in the sugar
cane crops along the banks of the rivers. The road leading fran the city
of Uniao dos Palmares to Sao Jose da Laje was severely damaged. Many
bridges along this stretch were also affected and railroad 'traffic was
interrupted for a few weeks. Rocha Cavalcanti was another (city along the
Canhoto River damaged by the flood waters.
The Mundau Hver Valley is an area often afflicted by seven? drought. When
the flash flood came it partially inundated the cities of Udao dos Pahares,
Branquinha, Mwici, Rio Largo, and Satuba. ?he Mundau Rive:r empties into
the Mundau Lagoon south of the capital city of Maceio. Suburbs of this
city smmding the lagoon were also slightly flooded.
Suddenness of the flooding and the fact that it occurmd while the people
were still sleeping did not permit advance wazning of its aslaught and
organized evacuatim of the people that could have saved mny lives.
However, many people were able to leave their homes as they became flooded
and were sheltered in schools, public buildings or with friends.
ACTION TAKEN BY ?HE GO-
OF BRAZIL AND LOCAL ORGANIZA1lTONS
b Saturday, March' 15, the Governor mobilized his Secretarli~ts and appointed
Colmel Adauto Barbosa, Secretary of Public Safety, to coonibate all
efforts for the relief program called wQeracao Emerpnciaw . Other members
of the cornnittee for "Qeratim Emergency" were: Secretary of Public Works,
Secretary of Health and Secretary of the Interior. All dani3tions of food,
f'unds and materials were channeled thru,ugh "Qeratian Emergc?ncyW headquarters
at Maceio. From them they were distributed as needed. Colonel
Barbosa placed officers and soldiers in each city to direct all operations.
Telephone c~cations to Maceio, which had never existed in the affected
area, were provided a few days after the flooding by the Mi:Litary Police of
Alagoas in an emrgency system of micmve telephone comnu?ication equipmt.
Two helicopters were placed at the disposal of the relief ccxrmittee by the
Brazilian Air Force and two others were loaned by the Hydm?lectric Curpany
of the Sao Francisco Valley. These aircraft were used to f:Ly men, equipment
and food to the inundated area and to take the mured to h~spitals in
Maceio .
?he Federal Government sent a retired naval officer and emp:Loyee of SUNAB
(?he Nationdl Superintendency of Supply) to Ahgoas who worked closely
with Colmel Barbosa in obtaining needed food carmodities for the flood
victims.
Civilian participation consisted of 10 State social workers,, some volunteer
medics and a handful of private citizens who devoted their efforts to
assisting in distrlbutim of food and clothing. There was only Umited
local involvement since the relief operatims were handled I)y the relief