Buenos Aires Herald 
Almost 800 people had to be evacuated in Corrientes City due to severe flooding following intense rains early Sunday. Houses and cars could be seen underwater in the provincial capital, and the beginning of the school year was postponed on Monday.
“This is the worst natural disaster in our history,” said the provincial government in a press release on Sunday.
The National Meteorological Service (SMN, by its Spanish initials) reported that it rained 208 milliliters in just five hours in Corrientes city. “According to statistics, it normally rains 155 milliliters in the whole month of March,” they added in a post on X.
In some places, people were left with water up to their chests. Videos and pictures show cars completely underwater and people canoeing in the flooded streets.
Several buildings suffered structural damage, while trees, lampposts, and roofs were blown off by the wind. The local government decided to suspend public transport and cut power in several neighborhoods on Sunday. Some bus lines resumed operations on Tuesday, according to local newspaper El Litoral.
Mayor Eduardo Tassano said the intense rain caused the drainage systems to collapse because of the amount of water and strong winds that affected the city in a short amount of time.
The provincial and city governments are working together to drain the water and help evacuees. Many are staying in local community centers and schools that were prepared to receive them.
“This is like pouring 500 liters [of water] in the kitchen sink all at once; it would clearly collapse,” said Corrientes Risks and Catastrophes Undersecretary José Ruiz, according to Télam.
Corrientes City is receiving donations for the most affected neighborhoods and has launched two free phone lines people can use to request assistance: 147 and 3794341768 (WhatsApp only).
Navy and Military Police are also working alongside the Corrientes Police and Civil Defense to assist those affected by the flooding. In many cases, they had to help people get out of their completely flooded houses.
They also had to assist a woman who was on her way to the hospital to give birth and was stranded due to the flooding. Thankfully, she managed to get to the emergency room safely.
The downpour continued throughout Sunday and Monday, with less intensity. No rain is expected for Tuesday in Corrientes City, according to the SMN.
— with information from Télam, taken before its website’s shutdown.
