People in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul were bracing for more rains this weekend, as efforts to rescue people stranded by last week's flooding in the state continued Saturday.

The state capital, Porto Alegre, was virtually cut off as the worst flooding in 80 years submerged entire neighborhoods. The airport and bus station remain closed.

Five of Porto Alegre's six water treatment facilities were not working as of earlier this week, with the mayor issuing a decree to conserve water so it can only be used for "essential consumption."

Rains to persist until Monday

Brazil's national meteorology institute forecast on Friday afternoon that more than 15 centimeters (roughly 6 inches) of rain could fall over the weekend. Rains would persist until Monday, it said.

Authorities said there was a high likelihood that winds would intensify and water levels would rise in the Patos lagoon — the largest in Brazil situated just south of Porto Alegre.

Hundreds of thousands displaced from homes

Authorities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, home to some 10.9 million people, have said at least 126 people died during the flooding.

More than 230,000 people have been displaced from their homes, with thousands living in makeshift shelters in schools and gymnasiums. Another 136 people are still missing.

In Canoas, one of the state's worst-hit cities, more than 6,000 people were staying in a college gymnasium that has been turned into a temporary shelter.

The UN Refugee Agency was on the ground, distributing blankets and mattresses, as well as kitchen sets and hygiene kits. The Brazilian air force has parachuted over 2 tons of food and water to areas that are inaccessible because of blocked roads.

On Thursday, Brazil's federal government announced a package of 50.9 billion real (roughly $10 billion or €9.1 billion) for people of Rio Grande do Sul, which it said would include bringing forward payment of social benefits and providing cheaper loans to farmers and companies.

Rio Grande do Sul is at a geographical meeting point between tropical and polar atmospheres, which has created a weather pattern with periods of intense rains and others of drought.

Local scientists have said the pattern has been intensifying due to climate change. 

rm/msh (Reuters, AP)