BUENOS AIRES — Severe rainfall has inundated a city located along Argentina’s eastern coastline, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 16 individuals, as confirmed by officials on Sunday. Rescue operations are in full swing, as emergency personnel frantically search for several missing persons, with reports indicating that two young girls and two adults are among those unaccounted for. The heavy rains commenced on Friday, sweeping the city of Bahía Blanca and claiming lives as the waters surged through the area.
The disaster management crews have orchestrated the evacuation of over 1,450 residents who were in peril, including patients from a local hospital, necessitating urgent relocation to ensure their safety. The city, positioned south of Buenos Aires, has been deluged with approximately 12 inches (300 millimeters) of rain over recent days, a stark contrast to the historic monthly average rainfall of about 5 inches (129 millimeters).
Weather forecasts bring a glimmer of relief to the beleaguered region, with no rainfall expected over the next 72 hours. This pause in precipitation offers a crucial window for rescue efforts to continue and for the city to begin grappling with the aftermath of the floods. The authorities remain vigilant, prioritizing the safety and recovery of the affected communities while assessing the extensive damage wrought by the severe weather conditions.
