Storms Cause Damage in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Listen to the story
Strong storms have caused serious damage in Rio Grande do Sul, a state in southern Brazil.
The storms hit four different regions of the state on Wednesday and Thursday.
They brought heavy rain, lightning, and hail, local reports say.
New photos show the scale of the destruction left behind.
In one location, a petrol station was reportedly split in half by the storm.
In another area, a car was found inside a large crater that opened in the road.
Several cities have been left without electricity because of the bad weather.
Some of these cities have also lost their internet connection.
The exact number of affected people has not been given in current reports.
Local authorities are expected to assess the full extent of the damage soon.
Residents are now beginning the difficult process of cleanup and repair.
Weather experts say strong storms like this can happen suddenly in the region.
People in the area are being advised to stay alert for more bad weather.
The images from the storm have been widely shared online.
They show flooded streets, damaged buildings, and broken power lines.
Vocabulary10 words
- storm
- very bad weather with strong wind and rain
- lightning
- a bright flash of light in the sky during a storm
- hail
- small balls of ice that fall during a storm
- destruction
- very big damage to something
- petrol station
- a place where vehicles get fuel
- crater
- a large hole made in the ground
- cleanup
- the work of fixing damage after an event
- authorities
- people or groups with official power
- affected
- harmed or changed by something
- assess
- to check and judge something carefully
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Four 2. It was split in half 3. True
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Strong _____ have caused serious damage in Rio Grande do Sul, a state in southern Brazil.
The storms hit four different _____ of the state on Wednesday and Thursday.
They brought heavy rain, _____, and hail, local reports say.
New photos show the scale of the _____ left behind.
In one location, a petrol station was reportedly split in _____ by the storm.
In another area, a car was found inside a large _____ that opened in the road.
Several cities have been left without _____ because of the bad weather.
Some of these cities have also lost their internet _____.
Residents are now beginning the difficult process of _____ and repair.
Weather experts say strong storms like this can happen suddenly in the _____.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever experienced a strong storm? What happened?
- Why do you think storms can cause so much sudden damage?
- What should people do to stay safe during a storm like this?
- How important is electricity and internet access in daily life?
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