State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil - May 3, 2024

The air support efforts in response to the flooding crisis in Rio Grande do Sul have been significantly bolstered by contributions from various agencies. The Brazilian Navy, Federal Highway Police (PRF), and Parana Military Police (PMPR) have dispatched their helicopters to aid the state, which has been grappling with floods since Monday, resulting in the loss of 24 lives with 21 individuals still missing.

The regions most severely affected by the incessant rains are the valleys of the Cai, Pardo, Taquari, and Jacui rivers, along with the central and mountainous areas of Rio Grande do Sul. Governor Eduardo Leite has described this as the most extensive natural disaster in the state's history. Security forces, both armed and public, from Rio Grande do Sul and neighboring states have mobilized numerous helicopters for search and rescue operations.

On Thursday, the Brazilian Navy revealed its readiness to deploy two helicopters—a UH-15 Super Cougar and a Uh-12 Esquilo—to the affected region pending improvements in weather conditions. The UH-15, stationed in Florianopolis (SC), will be the largest helicopter involved in the operation once deployed, alongside the Brazilian Air Force's H-60L Black Hawk.

Furthermore, the PRF's Air Operations Center (NOA) dispatched an Aw-119 helicopter to Rio Grande do Sul, landing in Santo Antonio da Patrulha. Originating from Parana, the aircraft encountered delays due to adverse weather conditions along its journey initiated during the Labor Day holiday. The PMPR also contributed to the relief efforts by deploying an EC-130B4 helicopter (Falcao 08).