Bahia Blanca, Argentina, has experienced a devastating storm, resulting in 13 deaths and hundreds of evacuations. The storm brought a year’s worth of rain in hours, leading to inundated neighborhoods and destroyed property. The incident exemplifies concerns over climate change as authorities grapple with the aftermath and prepare for future emergencies.
Bahia Blanca, a port city in Argentina, has faced devastating impacts from a catastrophic storm that brought a year’s worth of rain in a matter of hours, resulting in 13 fatalities and displacing hundreds of residents. On March 8, authorities confirmed that the storm, which struck on March 7, swept away two young girls, aged four and one, who remain unaccounted for.
The intense rainfall inundated hospital facilities and submerged neighborhoods, turning them into isolated islands. National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich described the situation as a city that had been “destroyed”. The death toll, which increased from 10 to 13 a day later, raised concerns about additional casualties in this city of 350,000 residents, situated 600 kilometers from Buenos Aires.
Reports indicated that at least five victims died on flooded roads, trapped in their vehicles by rapidly rising waters. The deluge that began on March 7 dropped over 400mm of rain in just eight hours, a volume equivalent to Bahia Blanca’s typical annual rainfall, according to provincial security minister Javier Alonso, who called the event “unprecedented”.
On March 8, tensions escalated as ministers attempted to visit affected neighborhoods, with irate residents demanding timelier responses to the disaster. Some locals confronted Ms. Bullrich, expressing their frustration over the delayed visit, which culminated in an altercation requiring police intervention.
Andrea Dufourg, an environmental official, remarked that the extreme weather exemplifies climate change, emphasizing the necessity for cities to prepare for future events through education and early warning systems. As of March 8, there were 850 evacuees, a decline from the peak of 1,321.
The storm prompted the evacuation of Jose Penna hospital, with staff carrying infants to safety as military assistance arrived. Doctor Eduardo Seminara described the destruction in his office, inundated with nearly 1.5 meters of water, although he expressed relief that there were no fatalities among his family.
Images from local media depicted submerged stores and indicated instances of overnight looting as residents faced immense hardships. The government has sanctioned emergency reconstruction aid amounting to 10 billion pesos. Meanwhile, power outages affected much of Bahia Blanca, with officials forced to disconnect electricity due to severe flooding. Past storms, including one in December 2023, had similarly wreaked havoc on the area, highlighting a troubling trend of weather-related disasters.
In summary, Bahia Blanca has been severely impacted by an unprecedented rainstorm that has led to significant loss of life and widespread destruction. With urgent calls for improved climate preparedness, the government has begun emergency response initiatives to aid recovery efforts for those affected. This disaster underscores the increasing severity of weather events attributed to climate change and the local authorities’ challenge in responding effectively to such crises.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
