Torrential rains in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, killed at least ten people and forced over a thousand evacuations. With 400 millimeters of rain causing extensive damage, the national government has authorized emergency aid. Rescue efforts continue, particularly at the overwhelmed Jose Penna hospital, while the area remains on alert for further storms.
On Friday, torrential rains in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, resulted in at least ten fatalities and the evacuation of more than a thousand residents. As homes and hospitals were inundated, roads were destroyed and power cut as a precaution. This extreme weather event, delivering over 400 millimeters (15 inches) of rain, was unprecedented for the area, with Javier Alonso, the provincial security minister, noting that it was “almost three times bigger” than the previous record of 175 millimeters from 1930.
Bahia Blanca, a city of approximately 350,000 residents located 600 kilometers (375 miles) south of Buenos Aires, continues to deal with the aftermath of the flooding. Emergency services evacuated patients from the Jose Penna hospital, where floodwaters invaded the intensive care wards, leading to dramatic rescue efforts witnessed by the media.
An estimated 1,321 individuals have been evacuated, with Mayor Federico Susbielles announcing that the national government has authorized emergency aid of 10 billion pesos (around 9.2 million dollars). The provincial government is dispatching helicopters, food, water, and rescue equipment, as well as utilizing inflatable boats from the coast guard to assist those affected.
Following the disaster, Bahia Blanca’s airport has been temporarily closed, and officials suspended power supply in some areas to mitigate the risk of electric shocks. Moreover, the city remains under alert from meteorological services for potential further storms. The region has a troubling history of climate-related disasters, as evidenced by a deadly windstorm in December 2023 that resulted in significant loss of life and property damage.
The flooding in Bahia Blanca highlights the severe impact of unprecedented weather events on urban areas, underscoring the importance of emergency preparedness and prompt response efforts. With ten lives lost and the devastation affecting thousands, the city’s ongoing response and recovery efforts will be crucial with additional storms looming. This situation serves as a reminder of the potential for climate catastrophes in affected regions.
Original Source: thesun.my
