The head of the Emergency Coordination Center of that Uruguayan department, Fernando Gonzalez, reported that more than 150 people were displaced (evacuees and self-evacuees) due to the flooding that occurred the day before.

“We understand that this is part of the first wave of flooding. In the coming days, we will see an increase in the river flow that could be between 6.70 and 6.90 meters,” he predicted in an interview with Radio Montecarlo.

“With seven meters, we would have about 150 families evacuated, which would represent about 600 people. We hope we don’t reach that level because the situation is starting to worsen a little more,” he noted.

Meanwhile, in Paysandu and the rest of Uruguay, the contingency plan for the red alert for extreme cold continues for vulnerable people, with growing numbers of refugees and evacuees.

Last night’s early hours were the coldest of the current winter season, with sub-zero temperatures in several locations across Uruguay.

The Uruguayan Meteorological Institute extended the period of impact of the polar cold wave that is sending shivers across the country until Wednesday. jdt/oda/ool