"At least six people have been killed and 750 others injured in Brazil after a tornado ripped through the southern state of Parana, with powerful winds of up to 250km/hour (155 mph). Local authorities said on Saturday that the twister, which struck late on Friday, lasted less than a minute, but destroyed about 90 percent of the town of Rio Bonito do Iguacu. The town is home to 14,000 people. Aerial photographs show scores of buildings in Rio Bonito do Iguacu without roofs, while parts of the town appear completely flattened. Nearby, green farmland and trees outside of the tornado's path appear to be largely untouched."
"Experts say climate change can contribute to frequent and more intense tornadoes as warmer temperatures and increasing moisture in the air can increase atmospheric instability and wind shear the factors that give rise to such twisters."
"When these events hit an urban area, the damage is major. It is very lethal."
"There's not much we can do All we have left are our clothes and our documents. My livelihood, my mechanic shop, is gone, and my son worked with me,"
A powerful tornado struck Parana late on Friday, generating winds up to 250 km/h and flattening large parts of Rio Bonito do Iguacu. Local authorities reported at least six deaths and roughly 750 injuries, with the twister lasting under a minute but destroying about 90 percent of the town. Aerial images show many buildings without roofs and whole areas flattened while nearby farmland remained largely intact. Residents reported the loss of homes and businesses. Officials described the scene as like a war zone. Experts warn that warmer temperatures and increased moisture can raise tornado frequency and intensity by increasing atmospheric instability and wind shear.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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