Last Friday, Bahia Blanca in Argentina suffered catastrophic floods from eight hours of nonstop rain, resulting in at least ten deaths and over a thousand evacuations. Hospitals were evacuated, and significant emergency aid was mobilized to support the affected population. Eyewitness accounts describe severe flooding, prompting ongoing alerts for future storms.
Buenos Aires, Argentina, has experienced devastating floods resulting from nonstop torrential rains in Bahia Blanca, leading to the deaths of at least ten individuals and the evacuation of over a thousand residents. Last Friday, relentless rains inundated homes and hospitals, prompting emergency measures including the evacuation of the Jose Penna hospital and the cessation of electrical power in several areas.
The deluge dropped more than 400 millimeters (approximately 15 inches) of rain within hours—an amount comparable to the annual total, marking a historic occurrence. Javier Alonso, the Buenos Aires security minister, highlighted that this storm’s intensity vastly surpassed the previous record set in 1930, which only reached 175 millimeters.
In response to the disaster, local authorities evacuated 1,321 individuals, while the national government mobilized emergency aid amounting to 10 billion pesos (around 9.2 million dollars). The provincial government dispatched helicopters, canoes, and ambulances equipped with essential supplies to aid those affected.
The flooding severely impacted the Jose Penna intensive care hospital, as water breached its wards, necessitating an urgent evacuation of patients and medical personnel. Eyewitness reports describe dramatic scenes, including families fleeing their homes as floodwaters, reaching up to a meter-and-a-half high, overwhelmed their neighborhoods.
With the city still on alert for potential new storms, local officials continue to assess the aftermath of this calamity, striving to assist residents affected by this tragic event, which follows a troubling pattern of extreme weather in Bahia Blanca’s history.
In summary, Bahia Blanca faces significant challenges following unprecedented floods caused by extreme rainfall, resulting in casualties, extensive evacuations, and substantial property damage. The government’s deployment of resources and aid efforts underscore the urgent need for recovery amidst ongoing threats of additional storms. Historical context reveals this disaster as part of a troubling trend of severe weather events impacting the region.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
