Severe Flooding in Bahia Blanca Claims Lives and Forces Evacuations

Recent severe flooding in Bahia Blanca has led to widespread evacuations and fatalities, with the city recording unprecedented rainfall. The situation is compounded by infrastructure damage and ongoing weather alerts as recovery efforts proceed.

Bahia Blanca, a city with a population of 350,000, has experienced devastating flooding following eight hours of continuous rainfall, resulting in the evacuation of the Jose Penna hospital. Additionally, as rescue operations began, approximately 1,000 residents were relocated to safety with assistance from the army.

Local authorities reported six confirmed deaths due to the severe flooding, with concerns that this number may increase. The city received over 400 millimeters of rain—an amount equivalent to its average annual precipitation—which has been deemed “unprecedented” by Security Minister Javier Alonso.

Minister Alonso also mentioned the historical context, noting that the last significant storm in Bahia Blanca occurred in 1930, resulting in only 175 millimeters of rain, thus highlighting this recent event’s severity. The airport in Bahia Blanca has been closed indefinitely, and to prevent electric shocks, officials have cut off power to certain areas.

In light of the crisis, various forms of aid—including helicopters, canoes, ambulances, and trucks carrying essential food and water—are being sent to support the affected residents. Individuals such as Flavia Viera Romero conveyed their distressing experiences as floodwaters reached significant levels in their homes, prompting urgent rescue actions.

The meteorological service continues to issue alerts for possible additional storms, indicating that recovery efforts are ongoing amid these troubling conditions.

The flooding in Bahia Blanca represents one of the most severe weather events in the city’s history, leading to evacuations, significant casualties, and widespread infrastructural damage. Authorities are working diligently to provide aid and manage the aftermath while the community remains vigilant against potential further storms. This situation underscores the profound impact of environmental challenges facing urban areas.

Original Source: sharjah24.ae