Record Rainfall Causes Severe Flooding in Bahía Blanca, Argentina

On March 7, 2025, record rainfall in Bahía Blanca caused severe flooding, resulting in ten fatalities and over 1,300 evacuations. The National Integrated Risk Management System declared a Red Alert, with ongoing rescue operations and significant damage to infrastructure and public services. Emergency response is being coordinated by multiple agencies.

On March 7, 2025, Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, experienced its worst rainfall since 1933, resulting in severe flooding. This extreme weather event led to the deaths of at least ten individuals and the evacuation of over 1,300 residents from the coastal city, which houses a population of 336,000.

The unprecedented rainfall totaled up to 320 mm (12.6 inches) within a mere four hours, shattering the previous record of 167.6 mm (6.6 inches) set on March 17, 1933. Notably, a significant storm in 1975 recorded 154.9 mm (6.1 inches), marking this event as the most extreme in history.

In response, the National Integrated Risk Management System (SINAGIR), under the Ministry of National Security, declared a Red Alert for Bahía Blanca. Federal forces have been deployed to assist local authorities in rescue operations, which remain ongoing amid concerns of further casualties.

The city has established four evacuation centers to support displaced families and is actively updating the evacuee records as connectivity is restored in the affected areas. Critical infrastructure, such as the Dr. José Penna Hospital, suffered heavy damage, prompting the evacuation of the neonatology wing and necessitating the Army’s assistance in patient transfers via boat.

Public services have been significantly disrupted, with schools, public transportation, and the local airport shut down. To prevent electrical hazards, power outages have been instituted in flooded regions, and residents have been cautioned against using electrical appliances or clearing debris from the streets during this critical period.

Emergency response is being coordinated by civil defense teams along with municipal and provincial authorities, as well as the Army and Navy. Carlos Bianco, the Minister of Government for Buenos Aires province, has described the situation as “a tragedy,” reaffirming the commitment of officials to maintain communication with the city’s mayor.

The historic rainfall in Bahía Blanca has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction. With emergency operations in full effect, local and federal authorities are attempting to mitigate the impact of the flooding and provide support to those affected. The tragic event underscores the vulnerability of urban areas to extreme weather conditions and highlights the importance of effective disaster management systems.

Original Source: watchers.news