Argentina has declared three days of mourning following severe flooding in Bahía Blanca, resulting in 16 deaths and two missing children. President Milei and local officials have implemented emergency measures to support the affected populations and restore services. Classes have been suspended, and community support efforts are underway, estimating reconstruction costs to be 400 billion pesos.
On March 7, 2025, Argentina declared three days of national mourning due to extreme rainfall and subsequent flooding in Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province. The unprecedented rainfall, measuring over 400 mm (15.7 inches)—almost 70% of the city’s annual average—has tragically resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals and left two children missing. Efforts are ongoing to locate the missing children, aged 1 and 5, amidst the flood’s devastation.
President Javier Milei expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, acknowledging the likelihood of additional fatalities. Federico Susbielles, the municipal head of Bahía Blanca, highlighted the importance of earlier decisions, such as suspending classes, which helped save lives during this crisis while commending the solidarity exhibited by local citizens. Approximately 1,450 individuals have been displaced, with 1,296 currently in evacuation centers.
In response to the disaster, educational authorities have suspended classes until March 11 across several districts, including Bahía Blanca, Coronel Rosales, and Villarino. Simultaneously, judicial activities in Bahía Blanca have been halted until March 14 to allow for recovery and infrastructure assessment. The National University of the South also announced a suspension of academic activities until March 31 due to damage caused by the flooding.
Utilities have been striving to restore services, with Southern Energy Distribution Company reporting that 65% of electricity has been restored. Hospitals are gradually regaining power, although some remain affected. Telecommunications providers are engaged in efforts to rehabilitate mobile network connectivity, while the National Roads Department is working tirelessly on transportation access and utilizing heavy machinery for recovery operations.
Community support initiatives are underway, including requests from local commerce organizations for businesses to refrain from deducting pay for employees affected by the flood. Mobile ATMs have been deployed to assist with cash withdrawals, while the fuel supply is expected to stabilize by March 12. Assessment of the infrastructure reveals significant damage to bridges, raising concerns about potential building collapses.
Donation centers have been established throughout the city to gather essential supplies for those impacted. Prominent football clubs across the country are also rallying support for relief efforts. An estimated 400 billion pesos ($455 million) is projected for reconstruction costs, and an emergency fund of 10 billion pesos ($11.4 million) has been established by the Minister of Economy for relief operations. Immediate measures include electricity restoration and distribution of aid to affected populations.
The tragic events following extreme flooding in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, have led to national mourning, highlighting the devastation’s human toll with a confirmed death of 16 individuals and ongoing search efforts for missing children. Authorities are responding with comprehensive emergency measures, including support for displaced persons, restoration of utilities, and community relief initiatives. Recovery and reconstruction efforts signal a commitment to rebuilding after this significant natural disaster.
Original Source: watchers.news
