MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Climatic emergency in Comodoro Rivadavia hit by snow storm

A “climatic emergency” was declared Monday in Comodoro Rivadavia following strong winds, rain and snow storms which covered most of the Argentine Patagonian province of Chubut with several feet of snow.

Some of the main roads remained blocked or interrupted while several towns and cities experienced partial blackouts as power lines failed. In the city of Esquel next to the Andes and which had been suffering the consequences of the volcanic blanket from the eruption in Chile of the Chaiten volcano, the snowfall was described as "historic". Mayor Rafael Williams promised that in the next 24 hours the city would again be connected by land to the rest of the province and energy restored. In Comodoro Rivadavia, the most populated city of Chubut and where snow storms are rare schools were closed down and people were advised to remain indoors. At mid morning Monday temperatures remained at minus 4 Celsius according to local weather reports. Mayor Martin Buzzi declared a "climatic emergency" and promised that services would be fully restored in the next 48 hours. Unusual strong winds severely damaged the energy network system downing lamp posts and street lights. The main land transport system in Chubut was also reported interrupted in several places such as highway 3 which links Comodoro with Trelew; highway 26 between Comodoro and Esquel and highway 25 from Trelew to Esquel. Some small locations to the north of the province were threatened by flooding since the drainage system was clogged with volcanic ashes. Meantime further north in Mendoza at the main border pass with Chile, traffic was interrupted by 1.5 meter high snow. The international Cristo Redentor pass was closed early Sunday afternoon on both sides of the border and is expected to remain in that condition until next Friday, according to the Argentine Public Works Department. Snow tractors are working on both sides but weather forecasts anticipate more storms. The Cristo Redentor is the main Mercosur link between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.