Elon Musk Announces Free Starlink Internet Support In Brazil After Severe Flooding

Elon Musk Announces Free Starlink Internet Support In Brazil After Severe Flooding

  • Elon Musk has responded to Brazil's flood crisis with 1000 Starlink terminal donation to help in search and rescue efforts
  • At least 100 people had died in Brazil following the floods as of Wednesday, May 8, with the southern part of the southern American country being the hardest hit
  • In Kenya, the floods have claimed over 200 lives and displaced thousands, even as the weatherman indicated that the rains were subsiding

Tech magnate Elon Musk has announced that he will donate 1000 Starlink satellite terminals to emergency responders working in flood-hit Brazil.

Volunteers take back equipment from Lake Guaiba as a storm brews in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, on May 8, 2024.
Volunteers at Lake Guaiba as a storm brews in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Death toll from the floods that have ravaged southern Brazil for days surpassed 100. Photo ANSELMO CUNHA.
Source: Getty Images

Flooding situation in Brazil

Musk's generous contribution is aimed at aiding communication efforts during the ongoing disaster relief operations.

The heavy rains have destroyed critical infrastructure, including electricity, roads, and telephone connectivity, and internet services have been disconnected in some areas.

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"Given the terrible flooding in Rio Grande do Sul, Starlink will donate 1000 terminals to emergency responders and make usage for all terminals in the region free until the region has recovered.

This move is expected to greatly benefit the local communities by ensuring uninterrupted communication, which is crucial in coordinating rescue and relief efforts.

As of Wednesday, May 8, the devastating floods in Brazil had resulted in the loss of at least 100 lives, with the southern regions facing the most severe impact.

Flooding in Kenya

Meanwhile, in Kenya, the catastrophic floods have led to the death of more than 200 individuals and have forced thousands from their homes, despite forecasts by the Kenya Meteorological Department (Met) suggesting a decrease in rainfall.

The rains had delayed the reopening of school by two weeks. President William Ruto announced that schooling would resume on Monday, May 13, after Met said the rains were easing up.

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Ghana Meteorological Agency warns of rain and thunderstorms in Accra, Kasoa, others

ECG said May Day outage was caused by flooding at seven substations

YEN.com.gh reported that the Electricity Company of Ghana blamed the power outage in Accra on May Day on the early morning rainstorm.

According to the ECG, the rainstorm led to the flooding of seven substations in Accra, disrupting the power supply.

It noted that it is currently working with the Ghana Fire Service to dry the substations to restore power.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Authors:
Geraldine Amoah avatar

Geraldine Amoah (Entertainment editor) Geraldine Amoah is an Entertainment Editor at YEN.com.gh. She pursued Business Administration at Ashesi University and graduated in 2020. She has over 3 years of experience in journalism. Geraldine's professional career in journalism started at Myjoyonline at Multimedia Group Limited, where she worked as a writer. She has completed Google News Initiative News Lab courses in Advanced digital reporting and fighting misinformation.

Berlinda Entsie avatar

Berlinda Entsie (Copy Editor) Berlinda Entsie is a Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh. She has worked as a proofreader and editor since 2016. Berlinda has over 5 years' experience editing and writing for leading publications in Ghana. She previously worked with Graphic Communications Group LTD, Business Insider SSA and Pulse.com.gh. She obtained a B.A in English Studies from the Methodist University College in 2016 and a Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the GH Media School in 2019. Reach out to her via berlinda.entsie@yen.com.gh