Argentina hit by devastating floods

Photo:Depositphotos

Shortly after flash floods hit the city of Bahia Blanca President Javier Milei declared a three-day mourning period. Many residents are still missing and the death toll is likely to rise. The floods were triggered by an atmospheric river that brought heavy rainfall in a very short period of time. The floods were preceded by a long-lasting heat wave which was replaced by a cold front on Friday. In many places, severe storms and hail accompanied the floods.

Flash floods hit Argentina on Friday, with the city of Bahia Blanca receiving around 260 millimetres of rain in just a few hours. Meteorologists said some areas received as much as 400 millimetres of rain in eight hours. Buenos Aires province's security minister Javier Alonso confirmed that two children were among the dead, swept away by the floodwaters.

Mayor Federico Susbielles told a news conference that the flooding had caused $400 million in infrastructure damage. There were widespread power outages throughout the city and along the coast. The storm was accompanied by strong winds that toppled large trees. Many roads and underpasses remain flooded, and some roads are completely impassable. Rescuers and firefighters had to evacuate a large number of residents from flooded homes.

Economy Minister Luis Caputo said the government has already approved aid worth 10 billion pesos which is unlikely to be enough because the city is home to 300,000 residents, many of whom were affected by the floods.

Source:Aljazeera