Record floods in Argentina kill 46: officials
Baku, April 4(AZERTAC). Massive flooding killed 46 people in and around Buenos Aires, Argentine officials said Wednesday, with most of the victims being found after a second day of record rainfall hit the area.
At least 46 people died as flood waters hit the nearby city of La Plata about 60 kilometers (40 miles) south of Buenos Aires, following historic rains that swept through the streets, submerging cars as people cowered on rooftops.
"The bodies began to appear as the water subsided," said Governor Daniel Scioli, as officials confirmed the death toll.
The fatalities in La Plata, administrative center of the province where Buenos Aires is located, followed at least eight others in Argentina's capital on Tuesday, when a storm knocked out power lines and downed trees.
Massive flooding killed 46 people in and around Buenos Aires, Argentine officials said Wednesday, with most of the victims being found after a second day of record rainfall hit the area.
President Christina Kirchner made a surprise visit to the region Wednesday, surveying the devastation by helicopter.
A record 40 centimeters (16 inches) of rain fell on La Plata in a two-hour period late Tuesday into Wednesday, officials said, knocking out phone lines and leaving about half the city in the dark.
In Buenos Aires, more than 15 centimeters (six inches) of rain -- an April record -- fell between late Monday and early Tuesday, the weather service said.
Flood waters reached two meters (six feet) in some places, turning roadways in La Plata -- a city of 900,000 inhabitants -- into a raging river.
"This has never before happened in La Plata," said Argentine Security Minister Sergio Berni.
The water inundated the home of Fernando Chatte, 57, causing property damage and rendering the food in the house inedible.
"Luckily the milk cartons were closed, so that my son could still have his breakfast," said Chatte, who said that apart from that "all the food was lost. Nothing remains."
A senior city official, Santiago Martorelli, told local television that the floods were a "catastrophe," and said La Plata's schools and government offices had been closed.
Cars remain submerged in the flooded streets of La Plata, located 63 km south of Buenos Aires, on April 3, 2013.
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