Heavy rainfall floods Argentine highways, forces evacuations
More than 2,000 people have been ordered to evacuate rural areas north of Argentina’s capital after several days of heavy rainfall flooded highways, farmlands and entire neighborhoods
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — More than 2,000 individuals were instructed to leave rural regions to the north of Argentina’s capital following an extended period of intense rainfall that inundated roads, agricultural lands, and entire communities.
A coach carrying 44 passengers became stranded for over 10 hours on a major thoroughfare linking Buenos Aires with the country’s interior.
Authorities reported that between 8 and 15 inches (300 to 400 mm) of precipitation had accumulated in the previous 72 hours, significantly surpassing the average monthly rainfall of approximately 1.7 inches. Additional inclement weather accompanied by strong winds is anticipated, prompting officials to advise residents, particularly the 275,000 individuals residing near Zarate city along the Parana River, to stay indoors.
Officials drew parallels between this storm and a previous event in March that resulted in the loss of at least 16 lives.
