Background on the Affected Region
Buenos Aires, Argentina, is home to approximately 15 million residents in its metropolitan area. The region recently experienced severe weather that resulted in unprecedented flooding, affecting the northern part of Buenos Aires province and even reaching the city of Buenos Aires itself.
Immediate Impact and Response
The intense rainfall caused significant flooding, leaving one fatality, three people reported missing, and nearly 2,000 individuals evacuated to shelters, according to provincial authorities.
- One fatality: A man reported missing was found deceased, while search efforts continue for three others.
- Nearly 2,000 evacuees: People have taken refuge in shelters, with many more moving to relatives’ homes.
- Government response: Both national and provincial governments initiated emergency operations, deploying rescue teams, technical equipment, and supplies to affected areas.
Contextualizing the Event
Fabián García, Director of Civil Defense in Buenos Aires province, emphasized the extraordinary nature of this weather event, attributing it to climate change. He highlighted the severity of previous floods in Bahía Blanca and warned that new areas are now experiencing flooding.
Cindy Fernández, a meteorologist with Argentina’s National Weather Service, explained that May typically sees around 70-80 mm of rainfall throughout the month. However, this recent weather phenomenon quintupled the usual precipitation levels.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is affected? The flooding has impacted the northern part of Buenos Aires province and the city of Buenos Aires, affecting approximately 15 million residents in total.
- What is the current situation? One fatality has been confirmed, with three people still missing. Nearly 2,000 individuals have been evacuated to shelters.
- What is the government’s response? Both national and provincial governments have initiated emergency operations, deploying rescue teams, technical equipment, and supplies to affected areas.
- Why is this event significant? This weather phenomenon quintupled the usual rainfall for May, highlighting the potential consequences of climate change.
