Severe flooding in Bahia Blanca, Argentina led to the evacuation of a hospital and hundreds of residents. Over 400 mm of rain fell in hours, six deaths were confirmed, with fears of more fatalities. The government is mobilizing resources for recovery amid ongoing weather alerts.
Bahia Blanca, a city with a population of 350,000, has experienced severe flooding due to eight hours of relentless rain, resulting in the evacuation of the Jose Penna hospital. Medical staff were seen evacuating infants from the neonatal unit, with army assistance to facilitate the rescue of approximately 1,000 residents from the inundated areas, located about 600 kilometers from Buenos Aires.
Local authorities have reported six fatalities, with the number potentially increasing. The city experienced an unprecedented rainfall of over 400 millimeters within a few hours, equivalent to its entire annual total, according to security minister Javier Alonso.
Alonso further highlighted the historical significance of the storm, stating that Bahia Blanca’s last major storm in 1930 resulted in 175 millimeters of rainfall, indicating this event is nearly three times as severe.
Infrastructural impacts are significant, with Bahia Blanca’s airport closed indefinitely, and certain areas have had power supply cut to prevent electric shock hazards. The provincial government is mobilizing resources, including helicopters, canoes, ambulances, and trucks with essential supplies for the impacted citizens.
Residents have recounted distressing experiences during the flooding. One local, Flavia Viera Romero, described evacuating her children from her home that was severely flooded with 1.5 meters of water. As recovery operations continue, the meteorological service has issued ongoing alerts for possible new storms.
The flooding in Bahia Blanca has resulted in considerable destruction, with significant rainfall exceeding historical records leading to fatalities and injuries. Emergency evacuations are ongoing, and the provincial authorities are taking measures to send aid and maintain public safety. Community resilience is being tested as residents face the aftermath of this natural disaster, while weather alerts persist indicating further potential storms.
Original Source: sharjah24.ae
