Unusual Cold in Uruguay Causes Hardship and 7 Deaths

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    MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — A rare burst of icy air sweeping up from Antarctica has gripped Uruguay, leading to tragic consequences as at least seven homeless individuals lost their lives this week. With the country unprepared for such harsh conditions, officials declared a state of emergency and rushed to provide additional shelters.
    The cold front initially struck Uruguay on Monday, surprising the coastal nation known for its generally mild winters in the Southern Hemisphere. Light snow fell in various regions for the first time in four years, as temperatures plunged to minus 3 Celsius (26 Fahrenheit) with windchill factors even lower. By Thursday, however, the deep freeze was beginning to subside, with an anticipated increase in temperatures across the country.
    Health officials have released several warnings about frostbite and hypothermia, particularly concerning for the homeless population who faced life-threatening conditions. Outreach workers took to the streets to persuade individuals to seek refuge indoors. Tragically, the deceased were discovered in various locations, such as beneath a bridge, at a bus station, and in a riverside tent.
    Despite Uruguay’s stable economy, homelessness has been on the rise, with the Ministry of Social Development reporting over 2,700 homeless people, predominantly in Montevideo, as of 2024. President Yamandú Orsi, in response to the crisis, exercised exceptional emergency powers that allowed law enforcement to relocate homeless individuals, underscoring the severity of the situation.
    “This is the first instance of mandatory evacuations being implemented, as the magnitude of the crisis necessitates new approaches,” explained Leandro Palomeque, director of the National Emergency System. Authorities opened 32 additional warming centers and three expansive evacuation facilities, repurposing venues like public gyms and a police academy, and prepared around 1,000 extra beds.
    In one shelter on Wednesday evening, social workers distributed hot meals and blankets to numerous attendees seeking warmth from the biting wind. Among them, several recalled being compelled to vacate the streets by police. “I was resting on a small table when the police arrived and told me I couldn’t stay there,” recounted Mauricio Rodríguezs. “I didn’t want to leave.”
    As the oppressive cold became unbearable, some sought refuge voluntarily. “The evening is the toughest during winter; the cold sets in, and you can’t endure it any longer,” expressed 19-year-old Lucas Bilhere, wrapped in a blanket at a Montevideo center. His puppy, Alaska, playfully moved among the neat rows of mattresses covered with donated sheets, as people slept huddled on the gym floor, leaving clothes and damp socks hanging on soccer nets.
    Unlike standard shelters, these warming facilities permitted pets and belongings and remained open during daylight hours. While Bilhere expressed his aversion to the chilly weather, he also voiced concern about what would ensue once the cold eventually recedes and the emergency shelters shut down.
    “My hope is to have a place of my own where I can be warm,” he reflected. “I wish the same for everyone.”