The recent tragedy that has shaken Bahía Blanca, where a historic flood has left at least 13 dead and numerous families evacuated, could have had lesser effects. While funds are being invested in policies that do not address the basic needs of the population, drainage infrastructure and urban planning have been relegated, exposing the city to largely avoidable disasters.
The current situation, with flooded sectors and essential public services suspended, reflects a problem that had been identified as a latent threat in a Conicet study. Despite the warnings, authorities have ignored crucial recommendations, preferring to allocate resources to gender and ideological policies instead of addressing urgent infrastructure and safety needs.
The Conicet analysis highlighted the geography of the terrain and disordered urban expansion as aggravating factors. The lack of natural water absorption areas has increased runoff volume, contributing to the current crisis scenario. Government inaction over the years regarding these risks raises serious doubts about resource management and priorities.
It is essential that authorities act immediately and effectively to address this crisis, prioritizing the safety of citizens instead of diverting resources to initiatives unrelated to the real needs of the community. Inadequate management of torrential rains that exceeded 290 millimeters in a few hours highlights the lack of predictability in risk management by the provincial government regarding floods.
A 2012 urban hydrography study by Conicet had already pointed out Bahía Blanca's vulnerability to extreme climate events, highlighting the erosion of unpaved streets and existing drainage problems. The city's location in the lower basin of the Maldonado canal makes it a critical point for the rapid accumulation of water during intense precipitation.
