City of RS estimates losses of up to R$7 million in commerce after cyclone causes five-day blackout

City of RS estimates losses of up to R$7 million in commerce after 5-day blackout The return of electricity did not end the impacts caused by days of blackout in Santa Vitória do Palmar, in the south of Rio Grande do Sul. Now, residents and businesspeople are beginning to measure the financial effects of the lack of electricity, which affected everything from stores and butchers to rural producers and fishermen. ? The interruption in supply, which affected the cities of Santa Vitória do Palmar and Chuí, was caused by the passage of a cyclone last Thursday (6). The storm and wind damaged at least 26 power transmission towers in the Lagoa Mirim region. ? Access the g1 RS channel on WhatsApp According to the Commercial and Industrial Association of Santa Vitória do Palmar, losses in trade can reach R$7 million. The calculation is part of the survey prepared by the municipality to support the request for an emergency decree. For the president of the Commercial and Industrial Association of Santa Vitória do Palmar, Marco Petruzzi, the impacts go beyond the immediate cash losses. "We have to remember that we will have a reduction in working capital. We will have a loss of customers, cancellation of orders, we will have a commitment to investments. So, the city has practically stopped", points out Petruzzi. Commerce feels a drop Blackout lasted five days in Santa Vitória do Palmar Stéfane Costa/ Grupo RBS In the city's commercial areas, business owners report a drop in sales, closure of establishments and extra expenses to try to maintain activities. Businesswoman Vera Gonçalves Meireles says she had to close the store during part of the period without power and says that the movement in the center practically disappeared. "It was a failure. There was no movement in the center. The city is really sad. Without electricity, people don't leave their homes", says Vera. Insecurity regarding energy supply has also changed consumer behavior. At a butcher shop in the city, owner Jonatan Lucero says sales have fallen by between 70% and 80%. "People are consuming what they have at home so as not to waste and are coming less to buy from the butcher", comments Jonatan. Among residents, there remains concern about the conservation of refrigerated products. Resident Vanessa Bastos reports that she has been buying food only for daily consumption, without stocking up. "We buy the right amount of food every day. I'm afraid the power won't come back on and we won't be able to keep things in the fridge", he confesses. Agriculture The losses also affect the agricultural sector. Emater estimates losses of approximately R$630 thousand. Producers needed to resort to their own resources to maintain activities. "It's a cost that isn't foreseen. So, when things like this happen, it really gets in the way," says milk producer Cristian Rueda. Fishing is another affected activity. According to Alexandre Ludwig dos Santos, president of the Z-16 Fishermen's Colony, many workers depend on freezers to produce ice and preserve fish. Without energy, part of production ended up compromised. VIDEOS: Everything about RS