Severe flooding in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, resulted in ten fatalities and over a thousand evacuations. An unprecedented rainstorm led to significant infrastructure damage, prompting emergency aid from the national government. Measures were taken to ensure safety, and rescue operations were crucial in addressing the crisis.
In Argentina’s port city of Bahia Blanca, severe flooding resulted in at least ten fatalities and the evacuation of over a thousand residents on Friday. The torrential rains, which lasted for eight consecutive hours, left the city, which has a population of 350,000, inundated, necessitating the evacuation of the Jose Penna hospital. Authorities reported that medical personnel worked diligently to evacuate vulnerable patients, including infants from the hospital’s neonatal unit, while the army assisted in rescue operations.
Over 1,321 individuals were successfully evacuated to safety, as confirmed by the office of Mayor Federico Susbielles. The national government responded by allocating emergency aid amounting to 10 billion pesos, approximately 9.2 million dollars. With more than 400 millimeters (15 inches) of rain recorded in hours—equivalent to the city’s annual rainfall—this natural disaster was deemed unprecedented by Javier Alonso, Buenos Aires province’s security minister. He noted that the deluge was nearly three times the size of the largest storm recorded in 1930.
In response to the flooding, Bahia Blanca’s airport remains closed, and officials have temporarily cut parts of the power supply to minimize electric shock risks. The provincial government is mobilizing helicopters, ambulances, canoes, and trucks equipped with food, water, and necessary supplies to aid affected residents. Additionally, the coast guard deployed inflatable boats to assist in rescue operations.
Residents experienced devastating flood conditions, with personal accounts revealing how swiftly water levels rose. Flavia Viera Romero, a local resident, recalled seeing approximately one-and-a-half meters of water rush into her home. On social media, she detailed the harrowing experience of seeking refuge with her children in a truck amid the chaos.
Continuing meteorological alerts warned of potential new storms. The floodwaters reached critical areas within the Jose Penna intensive care hospital, resulting in emergency evacuations of both patients and staff. The city, which often faces climate-related disasters, previously experienced a devastating windstorm in December 2023, which had caused considerable destruction.
The flooding in Bahia Blanca serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of urban areas to extreme weather events. With substantial rainfall overwhelming infrastructure and resulting in tragic loss of life, emergency measures and swift government responses are essential. The commitment to assist affected populations is critical in the ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters and restore normalcy in the city.
Original Source: www.news-journal.com
