Argentine municipalities launch emergency plans for El Niño

Municipalities in Argentina are implementing emergency preparedness plans in anticipation of the ‘El Niño’ weather phenomenon, which is expected to bring increased rainfall and severe storms.

In Villa Mercedes, authorities have launched a waste management campaign titled ‘La basura también inunda’ (Trash also floods) to mitigate flood risks. The city is utilizing meteorological tools, including the Villa Reynolds radar, to monitor storm evolution in real time. A joint Operations Center has been established involving provincial and municipal agencies to coordinate emergency protocols.

In La Plata, Mayor Julio Alak introduced the Municipal Risk Management Unit. This new department, which includes specialized units for hydraulic and civil engineering, meteorology, and emergency operations, aims to coordinate responses between national, provincial, and municipal sectors, as well as utility companies and security forces.