Severe flooding in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, has resulted in at least 16 deaths and the disappearance of two young girls. Authorities reported significant infrastructure damage estimated at $400 million. The government has authorized emergency reconstruction funding in response to this disaster.
Argentina’s port city of Bahía Blanca, located 600 kilometers south of Buenos Aires, has been severely impacted by flash flooding, leading to an increase in the death toll to 16 individuals. Authorities are actively searching for two young girls who went missing amid the disaster. The torrential rains, which dumped an entire year’s worth of rainfall in just hours, inundated homes, hospitals, and vital roadways, prompting extensive evacuations and infrastructure damage.
At a press conference held on Sunday, Mayor Federico Susbielles reported that the flooding has caused an estimated $400 million in damages. He further disclosed via a social media post that while there are 16 confirmed fatalities, the actual number may be higher as rescue operations are ongoing.
The tragic plight of two sisters, aged one and five, has particularly resonated with the public; they were swept away while on the roof of a van with their mother when a powerful wave hit. Divers are continuing their search in areas still inundated with over a meter of water.
The flooding also resulted in widespread power outages in Bahía Blanca, with local authorities temporarily ceasing electricity due to the flooding situation. In response to the calamity, the government has sanctioned emergency reconstruction assistance totaling approximately 10 billion pesos, equivalent to $9.2 million at the current exchange rate. Bahía Blanca is not new to extreme weather events; a storm in December 2023 previously resulted in significant loss of life and infrastructure damage.
The catastrophic flooding in Bahía Blanca has resulted in significant loss of life and infrastructure damage, with the death toll now at 16 and search operations ongoing for two missing girls. The storm caused extensive disruption and power outages, prompting government aid for reconstruction efforts. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges the region faces in relation to severe weather events.
Original Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com
