• At least 16 people have died due to severe flooding in Bahia Blanca, Argentina.
• The Argentine government has declared three days of national mourning.
• Heavy rains led to catastrophic flooding, causing an estimated $400 million in damage.
• Search efforts continue for missing individuals, including two young sisters.
• Emergency aid of 10 billion pesos has been allocated for recovery efforts.

Argentina is in mourning following the devastating floods that struck Bahia Blanca, resulting in at least 16 fatalities as the city grapples with the aftermath of relentless rains. The tragic events unfolded when approximately a year’s worth of rainfall fell in just a few hours on March 7, inundating neighborhoods and leading to widespread destruction. In response to this disaster, President Javier Milei announced a three-day period of national mourning, reinforcing a commitment to support the victims and their families in this difficult time. The floods also caused an estimated $400 million in damage to the city’s infrastructure, prompting the government to allocate 10 billion pesos (approximately $9.2 million) for emergency recovery efforts.

According to Provincial Security Minister Javier Alonso, the search continues for the two young sisters who were swept away by floodwaters as their mother desperately tried to reach safety. The local authorities are mobilizing resources to assist in the ongoing searches, with many areas still submerged under more than a meter of water.

City officials reported severe power outages in surrounding regions due to the flooding, leading to emergency measures, including temporary electricity suspensions across parts of Bahia Blanca. As reported by the Al Jazeera, the mayor of Bahia Blanca, Federico Susbielles, indicated that the searches for additional missing individuals might reveal a higher death toll.

The Argentine government has emphasized the significance of environmental preparedness, as such weather phenomena have increasingly impacted the region, highlighting that more comprehensive measures are essential for future disaster mitigation. For further coverage on this tragic event, view the full report from India Times and Le Monde.