Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms

In the Southern Indian Ocean:

Tropical cyclone 23p (ita), located approximately 413 nm northeast of Cairns, Australia, and is tracking westward at 09 knots.

In the Western Pacific:

Tropical depression 05w (Peipah), located approximately 643 nm southeast of Manila, Philippines, and is tracking northwestward at 05 knots.

Floods in Argentina

Around 3,000 people have been evacuated due to the heavy rains and subsequent flooding that has taken place in eight provinces across the country since Saturday, leading to the suspension of classes, public transport and public services in some of the worst-affected districts.

The southern Neuquén and Río Negro provinces, the central-northern Córdoba, Santa Fe and Entre Ríos provinces, and Mendoza, Catamarca, Santiago del Estero in the northwest of the country have borne the brunt of the three-day storm with flooded streets, blocked highways and a widespread human impact, including the destruction of homes.

Neuquén yesterday suffered some of the most dramatic consequences, as classes were suspended, public transport was halted and civil servants were given the day off. Supermarkets in the capital also closed their doors.

Around 118 millimetres of rain had fallen across the province in 24 hours, just short of half the annual total. Seven hundred people were evacuated from the provincial capital, Neuquén City, and another 600 in smaller towns throughout the usually arid Patagonian province.