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Civil Defense Warns of Flood Risk on Jacuí River in Brazil

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The Civil Defense agency of Rio Grande do Sul, a state in southern Brazil, has issued a serious warning.

There is a very high risk of flooding on the Jacuí River, especially near the town of Dona Francisca.

According to the agency, seven points in the Guaíba river basin have reached an attention level this Friday morning.

This level means water is rising and officials must watch the situation closely.

The warning also mentions new storms that may hit the region soon.

Because of this, four rivers in Rio Grande do Sul are currently rising.

The Guaíba basin includes several rivers that flow through the state and into a large lake near the capital, Porto Alegre.

Civil Defense officials regularly monitor water levels to warn people before floods happen.

When a river reaches a high alert level, residents near the water are usually told to prepare for possible evacuation.

The exact number of people affected has not been given in this report.

Rio Grande do Sul has experienced serious flooding events in recent times, so authorities are being very careful.

The situation may change quickly if more rain falls in the coming days.

Civil Defense has promised to give updates as the rivers change.

People living near the Jacuí and Guaíba rivers are advised to stay informed through official channels.

Vocabulary8 words

Civil Defense
a government group that protects people during emergencies
flooding
water covering land that is normally dry
basin
an area of land where rivers and rain water collect
attention level
a warning stage that shows a risk is growing
storms
very strong, bad weather with heavy rain and wind
rising
increasing or going up
monitor
to watch something carefully over time
evacuation
leaving a dangerous place to stay safe

Quiz

1. What is the flood risk level for the Jacuí River near Dona Francisca?
2. How many points in the Guaíba basin have reached the attention level?
3. True or False: Civil Defense expects more storms in the region.

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

The _____ agency of Rio Grande do Sul, a state in southern Brazil, has issued a serious warning.

There is a very high risk of _____ on the Jacuí River, especially near the town of Dona Francisca.

According to the agency, seven points in the Guaíba river _____ have reached an attention level this Friday morning.

The warning also mentions new _____ that may hit the region soon.

Because of this, four rivers in Rio Grande do Sul are currently _____.

Civil Defense officials regularly _____ water levels to warn people before floods happen.

When a river reaches a high alert level, residents near the water are usually told to prepare for possible _____.

Rio Grande do Sul has experienced serious flooding events in recent times, so authorities are being very _____.

The situation may change quickly if more rain falls in the coming _____.

People living near the Jacuí and Guaíba rivers are advised to stay _____ through official channels.

Discussion questions

  1. Why is it important for authorities to warn people before a flood happens?
  2. What can people do to prepare when they hear a flood warning?
  3. Why do you think rivers can rise quickly during storms?
  4. How might frequent flooding affect a region's economy and daily life?

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