At least 13 people have been killed and approximately 124 others injured in strong winds which struck a number of provinces in Argentina.
The provinces affected included Buenos Aires, San Luis, Salta, and Córdoba. The winds, reaching speeds of up to 105 mph, blew down treees, caused damage to property and triggered power outages in the region.
The winds struck on Thursday, November 19, causing chaos among the residents of the area. Trees were uprooted, buildings’ roofs were blown away and vehicles were destroyed by the force of the winds.
At least 10 of the fatalities occurred in Buenos Aires, with some of the victims being children. The other three deaths were reported in Salta, San Luis and Córdoba.
A number of towns in Buenos Aires were severely affected by the strong wind. In the town of Junín, a large section of a shopping centre collapsed under the strong winds.
The provincial governments of Buenos Aires, Salta and Córdoba have declared a state of emergency due to the damage caused by the severe winds.
Emergency services have been working around the clock to deal with the aftermath of the windstorm. Several hundred without power restored as of November 21.
Residents of the affected areas have been encouraged to remain inside as much as possible, and to avoid driving until the windstorm has passed.
The intense winds in Argentina serve as a reminder that severe weather can happen unexpectedly. It is therefore important for people to take steps in advance to protect themselves and their property in the event of severe weather.
