Extreme rainfall, severe flooding hits Bahia Blanca, Argentina
A severe storm brought over 270 mm (10.6 inches) of rain in just 4 hours over Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, on March 7, 2025, triggering widespread flooding and evacuations.
Image credit: Meteorology of the Argentine Republic
The downpour, which began around 03:40 LT (06:40 UTC), left large parts of the coastal city submerged, disrupting power and forcing evacuations, including newborns from the flooded neonatal unit at Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “Dr. José Penna.”
Television footage showed medical staff carrying infants to safety with assistance from the Army.
At least 40 households were evacuated, and authorities warned that only heavy machinery could navigate the inundated streets. The city remains under a Red Alert, with more rain expected. Schools and public transport have been suspended, and all activities halted until further notice.
The Pampa region has also been placed under a Red Alert, the highest warning level, due to heightened risk of extreme weather events.
Heavy rainfall has battered central-eastern Argentina since March 2, triggering widespread flooding across Buenos Aires Province.
One fatality has been reported in Berazategui, a city in northern parts of the province, as flooding continues to devastate the region. Local authorities are investigating the circumstances of the death.
The impact of the floods has led to over 680 people being evacuated from their homes across the province. Emergency shelters have been established, providing temporary refuge to those displaced by the disaster.
The severe weather has caused damage to infrastructure, with at least 20 buildings reported as damaged because of floodwaters and storm-related incidents.
The National Meteorological Service (SMN) has issued multiple alerts for March 7, warning of extreme temperatures, severe storms, and hazardous wind conditions.
Rainfall totals are expected to reach 50 to 100 mm (2 to 4 inches), with wind gusts exceeding 80 km/h (50 mph). Hailstorms remain a concern, further threatening property and agriculture in affected areas.
SMN has also raised storm alerts to an Orange Level along the coast of Buenos Aires. The intensification of storms over the Pampas region is projected to bring rainfall accumulations of 60 to 100 mm (2.30 to 4 inches) alongside strong wind gusts and hail.
In the Tandil area, officials have classified the storm risk as extremely dangerous, with expectations of very heavy rains and strong winds.
Forecasts indicate that heavy rainfall will persist over Buenos Aires Province for at least the next 72 hours.
References:
1 Flooding, evacuations in Bahía Blanca after fierce storm – Buenos Aires Times – March 7, 2025
2 Argentina – Floods – DG ECHO – March 7, 2025
Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.
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