In a significant development for the community of Cruzeiro do Sul in Acre, all families displaced by recent flooding have been able to return to their homes. The Municipal Civil Defense confirmed that the last 20 families still residing in public shelters were successfully relocated back to their residences.
The return operation began earlier in the week, on Tuesday, when authorities started the process of moving families out of temporary accommodations. Initially, 45 families were transported back to their homes as water levels in the region showed signs of improvement.
The primary cause for the evacuation was the swelling of the Rio Juruá, a major waterway in the region. The latest official measurement indicated the river was at 13.11 meters on Thursday. This level remains slightly above the critical overflow threshold of 13 meters, but the downward trend allowed for the safe return of residents.
The shelters were set up in several local schools to accommodate the displaced population. These included the Madre Adelgundes Becker school in the Miritizal neighborhood and the Marcelino Champagnat school in the João Alves neighborhood. Other facilities used were the Thaumaturgo de Azevedo, Terezinha de Jesus Saavedra, Rita de Cássia, Corazita Negreiros, and Padre Arnold schools.
With the evacuation complete, these educational institutions can now resume their normal functions. The coordinated effort by the Municipal Civil Defense ensured a smooth transition for the affected families, who had been living in temporary quarters due to the flood risk.
Authorities continue to monitor the river's status, though the platform used for real-time updates was reported to be unstable at the last check. The community remains vigilant as the water level, while receding, is still above the official flood stage.
Based on reporting from g1.