An Antarctic cold snap sweeping across Argentina has left at least nine people dead, most of them homeless in the capital Buenos Aires, according to a local NGO. The extreme cold has brought frost, snow, and record-low temperatures to much of the country, overwhelming shelters and raising energy demands.
The intense cold front originated in Antarctica and has surged northward across the southern cone of South America, with additional deaths reported in Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. Argentina’s national meteorological service warned that “the wave of cold air from the polar region continues to affect all of Argentina’s territory with intense frosts.”
In Patagonia and central Argentina, temperatures dropped to as low as -14°C, while northern regions experienced unseasonably cold lows between 0°C and 3°C. Buenos Aires recorded its coldest temperatures in years, prompting renewed calls for emergency measures to protect vulnerable populations.
To meet the rising demand for domestic heating, Argentina has increased electricity imports from Brazil and introduced restrictions on industrial use of natural gas.
Neighbouring countries have also felt the impact. In Bolivia, local media reported two deaths in the tropical region of Santa Cruz. The Bolivian education ministry has closed schools until 21 July due to the cold. Low temperatures have also affected Chile, southern Brazil, and eastern Peru.
The cold snap in Argentina and surrounding countries comes after one of the coldest winters in recent years in many parts of the northern hemisphere, raising global concerns over climate volatility and preparedness.
Source: BBC
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