Flooding in Rio Grande do Sul damages 650 archaeological sites and 28 heritage properties, postpones Bienal do Mercosul.

An initial evaluation of the flood damage in Rio Grande do Sul indicates serious repercussions for cultural heritage. A collaborative team involving UNESCO, the Ministry of Culture, Iphan, and state secretariats is assessing the impact on museums and historical landmarks. According to the Culture Secretariat, 98 municipalities have reported damage to cultural assets, affecting 650 archaeological sites and 28 heritage properties. In Porto Alegre, significant water damage occurred at the Casa de Cultura Mario Quintana and the Museu de Arte do Rio Grande do Sul. The 14th Bienal do Mercosul, scheduled for September 12, has been postponed. The publishing industry has also suffered, with 10,000 volumes lost at editora L&PM's warehouse. To aid cultural workers, the Apta RS campaign has been initiated, and the state government will allocate 90 million reais from the Lei Paulo Gustavo.