Severe floods in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, have left two sisters missing and claimed 16 lives. The floods have caused massive destruction, with many people displaced and infrastructure severely damaged. A national mourning has been declared, and emergency reconstruction aid has been authorized. Notable figures, such as Lionel Messi and Pope Francis, are supporting efforts to aid affected families and raise awareness about the impacts of climate change.
In Argentina, rescuers are actively searching for two sisters, aged one and five, who were swept away during severe floods in Bahia Blanca, which resulted in the deaths of 16 people. The flash floods triggered by an astonishing amount of rainfall over a short duration have devastated neighborhoods in this coastal city, located approximately eight hours south of Buenos Aires. The girls were traveling with their parents when their vehicle became stranded in rising waters.
A delivery driver attempted to rescue the family, taking the children and their mother in his van. However, the vehicle eventually began to fill with water, prompting the family to climb onto the roof. Tragically, a surge of water swept the driver and the two girls away. While the mother and father survived, the driver’s body was recovered later.
In response to the disaster, the government has declared three days of national mourning, with about 500 individuals currently in temporary shelters. Authorities have reported around 100 people are unaccounted for, likely due to disrupted communication systems caused by the flooding. Mayor Federico Susbielles announced measures such as building embankments and deploying pumps to reduce water levels, and stated that power had been restored to about 70% of homes in Bahia Blanca, a city with 350,000 residents.
As floodwaters receded, the devastation was exposed, with streets covered in mud and debris, alongside disrupted services including transport and banking. Observers reported difficulty obtaining necessities, as cash transactions became the norm. The flooding has inflicted over $400 million in infrastructure damage, with significant destruction to schools and residential areas.
The central government has allocated around 10 billion pesos ($9.2 million) for emergency reconstruction efforts. Football clubs and associations are mobilizing funds for the victims, and notable figures like Lionel Messi, along with Pope Francis, have expressed their support for those affected by this tragedy. Furthermore, nearly two million hectares of farmland have been damaged, raising concerns about the implications of climate change on such extreme weather events. Contracting environment policy director Andrea Dufourg emphasized the necessity for preparedness and education in the face of future disasters, while highlighting Bahia Blanca’s past experience with extreme weather events.
The recent flooding in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction, with ongoing search efforts for two missing sisters. The catastrophe has prompted a national mourning period and emergency aid initiatives. Community and notable public figures are joining efforts to support affected families. The event serves as a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change and underlines the importance of developing effective emergency preparedness strategies.
Original Source: www.sanfordherald.com
