Record Rainfall in Argentina Triggers Catastrophic Flooding and Evacuations
In Bahía Blanca, Argentina, a record rainfall of over 400mm fell within eight hours, linked to a preceding heatwave. This extreme weather caused significant damage and fatalities, leading to evacuations. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, authorities used cloud seeding to mitigate rain impacts, and Eastern Europe is forecasted to experience unusually high temperatures this week, accompanied by dust from Africa.
Bahía Blanca in Argentina experienced an unprecedented rainfall event on Friday, with over 400mm (15.7 inches) recorded in just eight hours. This remarkable volume exceeds the city’s previous record of 175mm set in 1930 and corresponds to approximately one year’s worth of rainfall. This extreme precipitation followed a heatwave that intensified atmospheric instability and increased humidity levels, facilitating severe thunderstorms when a cold front swept through the region.
As the cold front advanced towards Buenos Aires over the weekend, it triggered additional severe storms characterized by heavy rain, hail, and strong winds. Tragically, the extreme weather has resulted in 10 recorded fatalities in Bahía Blanca and necessitated the evacuation of over 1,300 residents. The ensuing flash floods obliterated vehicles and bridges, with sections of the city submerged under more than 2 meters of water.
In a related situation, Indonesia’s primary island of Java also faced flash flooding following heavy rains. In anticipation of continued rainfall, authorities employed cloud-seeding technology aimed at diverting precipitation away from the capital, Jakarta. This technique involves dispersing cloud-condensing nuclei to manipulate rainfall patterns, although its effectiveness remains experimental and is monitored closely.
Further heavy rainfall is anticipated in Java throughout the week, raising concerns for additional flooding across the region’s islands. Meanwhile, Eastern Europe will experience uncharacteristically high temperatures this week, reaching about 5-15 degrees Celsius above seasonal averages. Regions including Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece can expect highs in the mid to high 20s Celsius. Dust transported from Africa along with this warm air could potentially impair visibility and promote fog formation.
The recent weather events highlight the increasing severity of climate-related phenomena. The unprecedented rainfall in Bahía Blanca resulted in significant destruction and loss of life, illustrating the impact of climatic extremes. Similarly, Indonesia’s use of cloud seeding underscores an innovative but experimental approach to managing rainfall. The anticipated weather changes in Eastern Europe further emphasize the global nature of these climatic disruptions.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
