Around 3,000 people have been evacuated from their homes after storms and heavy rainfall led to widespread flooding in the San Juan province of Argentina. Some local media put the figure as high as 3,400 evacuees.
Luis Marquez, director of the San Juan government, described the storm as the worst in recent years. He also remarked that it was highly unusual to see such a prolonged period of rainfall.
Heavy rain has been falling in the region for the last week. Further heavy rainfall in central and western Argentina has been forecast. The departments of Pocito, Valle Fertil, 25 de Mayo, Chimbas, Angaco, Santa Lucia and Caucete are the worst affected areas. No casualties have been reported.
Emergency workers from federal and provincial governments have been working to supply the displaced with clothing, food, blankets and shelter. Some homes have been damaged so severely it could well be some time before it is safe for residents to return. However, some have already chosen to risk going back in order to protect their possessions. Currently many of the flood victims are staying in temporary accommodation in schools and sports halls.
Photo and tweet from local radio station Radio F5
SAN JUAN: OVER 1,500 EVACUEES BY FLOODS Due to the storm and heavy rains. The most affected area was Pocito.
SAN JUAN: MÁS DE 1.500 EVACUADOS POR INUNDACIONES. Es debido al temporal de lluvias. La zona más afectada fue Pocito pic.twitter.com/EPGSWFLmVJ
— Radio F5 (@laf5radio) February 15, 2014
Some roads have been closed as a result of flood damage, most notably Route 141, which connects San Juan with south western La Rioja. Road connections in Valle Fertil have been badly affected, leaving the region virtually isolated. Some aid trucks could make it through on Sunday and Monday, but further rainfall meant relief efforts had to be delayed.
The San Juan to Alerta road in Valle Fertil has been damaged, making the road impassable.
Conditions are now being complicated by the potential overflowing rivers in the area. Any further rainfall (as forecast) could see some rivers burst their banks.
Río #ValleFértil… Basta de lluvias porque del barrio costanera no va a quedar nada o.O #nuncalovitanlleno!!! pic.twitter.com/AEzLS55DVM
— Laü (@Laury2326) February 17, 2014
Map:
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Sources: 26 Noticias; Ambito; Diario de Cuyo
