El Chaltén authorities update contingency plans for potential Laguna Torre flood

Authorities in Santa Cruz, Argentina, are working to update contingency and evacuation protocols for the town of El Chaltén in response to the potential for a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) at Laguna Torre.

Sandra Gordillo, the Subsecretary of Civil Protection of Santa Cruz, clarified that there is no imminent emergency or ongoing evacuation. She noted that while the risk is not immediate, officials must work on prevention plans. Gordillo emphasized that older studies regarding specific timelines for potential flooding are no longer definitive references, and current planning relies on updated information from specialists at IANIGLA and CONICET.

Emilio Rivera, the Secretary of State for Water Resources, highlighted the importance of inter-institutional coordination. The government is seeking technical support from the National Water Institute (INA) to mitigate negative impacts. A recent meeting involving municipal authorities, National Parks, and provincial security and water resource departments aimed to strengthen these preventative tools and coordinate actions should an emergency occur.