Background on the Event and Key Players
On May 15, intense rainfall triggered severe flooding in Argentina’s Buenos Aires province, affecting areas that have never experienced flooding in the region’s history. The disaster has resulted in two fatalities, three people reported missing, and nearly 1,000 individuals taking shelter in evacuation centers.
Who is Involved?
- Fabián García: Director of Civil Defense in the affected region, who reported two deaths and ongoing search efforts for three missing individuals.
- Javier Alonso: Minister of Security for the Buenos Aires district, who stated that approximately 70,000 square kilometers, or a quarter of the province, were impacted by flooding.
- Axel Kicillof: Governor of Buenos Aires province, who acknowledged the extraordinary nature of the event and linked it to climate change.
Impact and Response
The flooding affected the northern part of Buenos Aires province, as well as the city of Buenos Aires and its metropolitan area, home to around 15 million residents. Authorities have launched emergency operations, deploying rescue teams, technical equipment, and supplies to those affected, including shelters, dry clothing, water, and food.
Meteorological Context
Cindy Fernández, a meteorologist from Argentina’s National Weather Service, explained that May typically sees around 70-80 millimeters of rain throughout the month. However, precipitation between May 15 and 18 surpassed 400 millimeters in various parts of the province, causing the flooding.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was affected by the flooding? The flooding impacted areas in Buenos Aires province that had never experienced flooding before, including parts of the northern region and the city of Buenos Aires.
- How many people were affected? Nearly 1,000 individuals sought shelter in evacuation centers, with additional people evacuated from their homes.
- What caused the flooding? Unusually heavy rainfall, with precipitation totals exceeding 400 millimeters in some areas over a few days, led to the flooding.
- What is the government’s response? Both national and provincial governments initiated emergency operations, sending rescue teams, technical equipment, and supplies to those affected.
- Is climate change a factor? Governor Axel Kicillof acknowledged the extraordinary nature of the event and linked it to climate change.
