The National Emergency System (Sinae) has activated its protocols, although so far there are no reports of significant damage.

The Municipality of Montevideo reported that between Friday and Saturday in the capital it rained half of what it averages for the whole month of August.

The prophecy of Santa Rosa de Lima, which is associated with the gales that traditionally occur on this date in several South American countries, was fulfilled here.

The deterioration of atmospheric conditions began on August 30, when the Catholic Church celebrates the day of Saint Rose of Lima.

The tradition has its origin in an event that occurred in 1615, when the current Peruvian capital, Lima, was spared from an attack by Dutch pirates thanks to a violent storm. This legend narrates that Isabel Flores de Oliva, better known as Santa Rosa de Lima, summoned the people of Lima to pray for divine protection.

The pleas, according to the story, resulted in a squall that dispersed the enemy fleet.

Since then, any storm that occurs around August 30 is associated with Santa Rosa.

In view of the persistence of the storm, the director of Sinae, Santiago Caramés, asked the population to take preventive measures.

In this sense, he urged to avoid “exposing oneself” to adverse weather phenomena and to postpone activities.

“The key to managing risks is to be aware and prepared,” Caramés concluded.

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