Greater Buenos Aires still affected by floods, weather improves

Heavy rains caused floods in Buenos Aires province, affecting 3.5 million hectares. Fourteen percent of barley and wheat crops have been affected and 17 districts were declared in state of emergency.

September began as wet as August- the wettest in 25 years- and the heavy rains flooded farms in Buenos Aires province, with thousands of hectares of crops of wheat and barley underwater and calves drowning soon after their births.

Buenos Aires province Agriculture Minister said that “each producer affected by flood must go to his local town hall and request a sworn statement in order to receive either the disaster or emergency mechanisms. In some case bank debts and payment of taxes are extended, and in the most affected areas, those payments are simply forfeited. We must clarify the degree of damage caused by these weather conditions and work along with National and provincial governments and with mayors to implement a scheme that sustains production at a long term and clearly focus in small producers.”

The districs of Tordillo, General Pueyrredón, Guaminí, Tandil, Saavedra, Azul, Benito Juárez, General Alvear, Gonzales Chaves, Laprida, Las Flores, Necochea, Saladillo, San Cayetano, Tapalqué, Coronel Pringle and Villarino have been declared under the state of emergency.

Following a week of heavy rains that caused floods in Buenos Aires province, disruptions in flight schedules and even more chaos than usual in traffic, weather conditions will improve this weekend.

Skies will be clear on Saturday, with a low temperature of 13 C and a maximum of 20 C the national weather forecast service (SMN) informed.