Northeast Argentina Flooding Crisis: Two Dead, Thousands Displaced as Rivers Overflow Banks

Corrientes, Argentina— Severe flooding swept across northeast Argentina on Saturday, killing at least two people and forcing thousands from their homes as rivers broke their banks after days of heavy rain.

Civil protection officials in Corrientes and Chaco provinces reported whole neighborhoods under water. Water entered homes up to roof level in low-lying districts. Families left with little more than plastic bags.

The two deaths occurred in separate incidents when victims were caught by rising currents while trying to cross flooded roads. Bodies were recovered by rescue boats.

More than 4,000 people have been evacuated to schools and gymnasiums converted into shelters. Many more left voluntarily to stay with relatives on higher ground.

“We lost everything in an hour,” said a woman sheltered in a municipal gym with her three children. “The water came from behind the house. No one warned us it would be that fast.”

The National Meteorological Service had issued orange alerts for intense storms. Some areas recorded more than 200 millimeters of rain in 48 hours. Soils were already saturated from a wet week.

Authorities suspended classes in dozens of municipalities and closed several national routes. Power outages affected at least 15,000 users. Health teams are distributing drinking water and blankets.

The army was deployed to assist with evacuations and to reinforce levees with sandbags. Helicopters have been used to reach isolated rural communities cut off since Friday.

The government of Corrientes said damage assessments are underway. Officials warned that river levels will keep rising through Sunday as upstream water moves down.