Uruguay Evacuates Over 5,000 People Due to Floods

5,012 people have been forced to leave their homes because of the heavy rains and floods in parts of Uruguay, which have caused several rivers to overflow. 

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The National Emergency System (Sinae) said over 5,000 people have been displaced, 1,145 evacuated and another 3,867 self-evacuated.

The affected departments are Artigas (north), Durazno (center), Florida (south center), Paysandú (west coast), Salto (north) and Soriano (southwest). Salto, about 450 km northwest of Montevideo, is the most affected, with almost 2,000 people leaving their homes, according to the authorities.

The Mixed Technical Commission of Salto Grande reported on Friday that the various meteorological models continue forecasting abundant rainfall for the coming days. Authorities toured the flooded areas, Juan Andres Roballo, Deputy Secretary of the Presidency, said: "We can leave at ease because everything is planned to serve families that are displaced from their homes."
 
Although the situation remains under control, the circumstances will continue to be monitored. In addition to the evacuations, the national government has sent trucks with mattresses, clothes, blankets, water and food to assist people who had to leave their homes.

The flooding has affected agricultural activities mainly in the soybean cultivations. It has also hit the most important phase of the summer tourist season, closing several roads and touristic spaces.