A stranded man was spotted creating an ingenious way to save himself as torrential rain became so heavy it flooded everything around him.
Alinor Antunes Magalhães of Canoas, in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, Brazil, was snapped riding a bathtub through the streets as the rainwater battered down around him.
The area the clip was filmed in is called Praia do Paquetá – which is often inundated with high levels of water, particularly during a long rainy patch.
In order to get around, residents have taken to using boats and kayaks to get around when the water levels get to various depths.
Magalhães’ actions were captured by fellow local Nelson Valdir Braga.
He has lived in the area for more than five years, according to G1 Globo, and said that the issues around flooding are recurrent.
Ordinarily, the 40-year-old would use a kayak in similar situations – but as a result of his boat being in a bad condition, he turned to his refrigerator to help him travel.
Magalhães tied buoys to the appliance, before grabbing his paddles to help him move the fridge around on the water.
He said: “Then, we see the state we are in today.”
The Canoas Climate Resilience Office (Eclima) reported that the flood level reached new highs due to storms around Rio Grande do Sul, and as a result the nearby river overflowed, causing flooding in riverside communities like Praia do Paquetá.
Aristeu Ismailow, the organisation’s chief secretary, continued: “Canoas is the last stage of the Rio dos Sinos basin before it flows into the Guaíba. It starts in Caraá. Canoas is a plateau.
“We form a bit of a pocket. If the rain is uniform in the state and the Guaíba is full like this, it forms a damming in Canoas.”
He added: “It forms a wall of water and the water doesn’t go down. That’s the biggest problem: the water needs to drain.”
The secretary also noted that due to the ongoing issues around flooding, houses in the area are often built on stilts as locals “culturally already live in this situation”.
Despite the flooding, the local city hall continues to make public shelters available to support residents.
This includes supporting those who wish to remain at their homes during the torrential rains amid fears personal belongings could be stolen.
