Severe storms and heavy flooding have wreaked havoc in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA), Argentina resulting in significant damage and loss of life.
Argentina’s meteorological agency Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) reported 130 mm of rain fell in 24 hours to 09:00 on 12 March 2024 in the Buenos Aires suburb of Morón.
Buenos Aires City government reported several points across the city saw rainfall totals of more than 125 mm, including Parque Roca, Barracas, Mataderos, Villa Soldati and Parque Avellaneda. According to figures from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) the mean total rainfall for March in Buenos Aires is 140.1 mm.
The downpour brought chaos to the Argentine capital. Flight delays, stalled traffic, and disruptions to public transport ensued, while businesses remained shuttered amidst the deluge. At least 11 major streets were closed in the city, Buenos Aires City government reported.
Firefighters carried out numerous interventions, mostly in the hardest hit areas in Lanús, Ezeiza and La Matanza. Evacuation centres have been set up to house those displaced, local authorities said. However, local media reported many residents in affected areas were unable to leave their homes.
Amidst the chaos, Buenos Aires Civil Defence force confirmed the discovery of a deceased individual in the town of Valentín Alsina, Lanús. According to firefighters, the victim died after being electrocuted in flood water.
FloodList has recorded eight significant flood events in northern Argentina since the start of 2024, including in Corrientes, Buenos Aires, Jujuy and Córdoba Provinces.
Heavy rain caused flooding in Buenos Aires in early February 2024. Two people died and several were rescued after a building collapsed in Caballito.
In early March, flash flooding struck in the city of Corrientes, Corrientes Province, where 2 people died and over 800 people were displaced.
Featured image: File photos for illustration only. Flooding in Buenos Aires, March 2008. Photo: Beatrice Murch under CC BY 2.0
