Bahia Blanca, Argentina, was severely impacted by a storm that dropped a year’s worth of rain in hours, resulting in 13 deaths and hundreds displaced. Missing persons include two young girls. Authorities emphasize the unprecedented nature of the rainfall, while environmental experts link the disaster to climate change and stress the need for better preparedness.
Argentina’s port city of Bahia Blanca has faced devastating flooding, with reports indicating it received a year’s worth of rain within just hours, resulting in at least 13 fatalities and displacing hundreds of residents. Authorities announced on Saturday that two young girls, ages four and one, remain missing, possibly swept away by the fast-rising waters. The storm left hospital rooms submerged and transformed neighborhoods into isolated islands.
Patricia Bullrich, the Argentine Minister of National Security, described Bahia Blanca as “destroyed,” with the death toll increasing from 10 to 13 as of Saturday, amidst fears of further casualties in the 350,000 resident city, situated 600 kilometers southwest of Buenos Aires. Bullrich noted that at least five individuals perished on inundated roadways, presumably trapped in their vehicles.
The torrential downpour commenced early Friday, unleashing over 40 centimeters of rain in a mere eight hours, which is approximately equivalent to Bahia Blanca’s average annual rainfall. Javier Alonso, the Buenos Aires Minister of Security, labeled the situation as “unprecedented.” On Saturday, amidst rising tensions, Bullrich and Minister of Defense Luis Petri encountered significant backlash from residents when attempting to access affected areas, highlighting community frustration over the late response to the disaster.
Director of Environmental Policy, Andrea Dufourg, emphasized the crisis as indicative of climate change, urging the need for improved urban preparedness, citizen education, and the establishment of effective early warning systems. As of Saturday, the number of evacuated individuals was reported at 850, a decline from a peak of 1,321 as efforts to manage the crisis evolve.
The flooding in Bahia Blanca serves as a somber reminder of the potential devastating impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. The situation has prompted calls for enhanced preparedness and policy changes to mitigate similar disasters in the future. The fatalities, missing persons, and community unrest underline the urgent need for effective governmental response and sustainable urban planning in light of changing climate patterns.
Original Source: www.taipeitimes.com
