The death toll from severe flooding caused by storms and heavy rain in the southern Argentine port city of Bahia Blanca has risen to 13, Chinese state media Xinhua reported on Sunday (March 9).
Local authorities reported 13 deaths on Saturday, it said. They warned that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continued.
Several hours of torrential rain caused the flooding, which closed off the city and surrounding areas. At least 1,059 people have been evacuated to safer places. Floodwaters have flooded the Dr. Jose Pena General Hospital, forcing staff to evacuate patients, including newborns, to safer places.
The hospital has been submerged in flash floods. The surrounding area has become an island. Power has been cut off in parts of the city. The mayor’s office said more casualties were expected in the city of 350,000 people, 600 kilometers southwest of the capital Buenos Aires.
At least five of the victims died on flooded streets, possibly after their cars got stuck in fast-moving water.
Provincial Security Minister Javier Alonso said the torrential rain that began on Friday morning had brought more than 400 millimeters of rain to the region in just eight hours, equivalent to what Bahia Blanca usually receives in an entire year.He added that it was unprecedented.
Source: Xinhua