Tragic Flooding in Bahia Blanca, Argentina: Ten Dead and Thousands Evacuated
A significant flood in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, resulted in ten deaths and the evacuation of over a thousand residents due to unprecedented rainfall. The Jose Penna hospital faced inundation, prompting emergency evacuations. The situation has drawn federal emergency aid and raised concerns about climate resilience in the area.
On Friday, torrential rains in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, resulted in ten fatalities and over a thousand evacuations. The relentless downpour submerged homes and hospitals, destroyed infrastructure, and led to power outages. The Jose Penna hospital was notably evacuated due to flooding, requiring medical personnel to rescue infants from the neonatal unit. The city, with a population of 350,000, is situated approximately 600 kilometers south of Buenos Aires.
The rainfall accumulated to over 400 millimeters (15 inches), a volume representing the city’s annual average and deemed unprecedented, as remarked by Javier Alonso, security minister for Buenos Aires province.
Evacuations reached 1,321 individuals, while the national government authorized emergency aid amounting to 10 billion pesos (approximately 9.2 million dollars). The local infrastructure faced severe challenges, with the airport shuttered and parts of the power supply turned off to mitigate the risk of electric shocks.
As rescue operations unfolded, the provincial government dispatched helicopters, ambulances, and boats to aid in evacuations and deliver essential supplies. Bahía Blanca’s streets, which incline towards the ocean, exacerbated flooding conditions, causing significant destruction.
Residents such as Flavia Viera Romero recounted harrowing experiences of being suddenly overwhelmed by floodwaters. The impacted city remains under alert for further storms, and the region has a history of dealing with climate-related disasters, including a windstorm in December 2023 that resulted in thirteen casualties and extensive damage.
The flooding in Bahia Blanca underscores the vulnerability of urban areas to severe weather events and raises concerns about climate change impacts. With the local government’s response in the form of emergency aid and rescue missions, the efforts to support affected residents reflect a community united in times of crisis. The rising frequency of such extreme weather phenomena may necessitate further discussions on infrastructure resilience and disaster preparedness.
Original Source: www.france24.com
