San Martín and La Matanza, governed by Kirchnerism, were once again left underwater due to the lack of hydraulic works promised during the campaign
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A storm of historic intensity struck the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area during the early morning hours, leaving vast sectors of the Federal Capital and the surrounding suburbs underwater. In just four hours, more than 118 millimeters (4.65 inches) of rain fell, surpassing the monthly average for October (122 mm [4.80 inches]) and causing a collapse of avenues, neighborhoods, and stormwater systems. The scene was the usual one: streets turned into rivers, stranded cars, outraged residents, and evidence of structural neglect in the districts governed by Kirchnerism.
At the start of the day, viral images showed sections of General Paz Avenue completely flooded, with vehicles trapped and rescues taking place in waist-deep water. In Villa Devoto, 155 millimeters (6.10 inches) of rain were recorded, while in Villa Santa Rita the figure reached 114 (4.49 inches). "Two drops fall and more than half of the residents of La Matanza have to pay for car repairs. The same story as always," complained a user on the X network, reflecting the widespread discontent in the western suburbs, where the water once again exposed decades of underinvestment.
El diluvio de más de 100 milímetros de lluvia que expuso el colapso urbano en distritos kirchneristas
The head of SAME, Alberto Crescenti, confirmed in a media interview that there was only one fatality during the day, but clarified that "it was not due to the storm, but to cardiac decompensation." The man, about 60 years old, was assisted on the General Paz frontage road and Route 8 by three emergency teams, although they were unable to revive him. "The death was not related to the storm," Crescenti specified, emphasizing that it was the only serious incident attended by the medical service.
Most affected areas
According to reports, emergency teams were deployed in the most affected neighborhoods—Villa Devoto, Saavedra, Villa Urquiza, Villa Pueyrredón, and Liniers—and it was noted that the situation "tends to normalize."Ignacio Baistrocchi, Minister of Public Space and Urban Hygiene, explained that "we continue to clear drains and work with trucks, Civil Defense, Emergency Guard, Firefighters, and Traffic to restore normal life for residents as quickly as possible."
Meanwhile, the Medrano stream, which flows into the Río de la Plata, rose by 142% compared to its usual level and exceeded five meters (16.40 feet) in height. The Mosconi, Cerati, and Spinetta underpasses were closed as a precaution until the water receded. "Water entered the Medrano area, but it has already started to go down," the official added.
In the Parque Sarmiento area—where a reservoir operates to prevent water from reaching the streets—the system replied, although the flowpushed the hydraulic capacity to its limit.
The Secretary of Urban Maintenance of Buenos Aires, Juan Ignacio Salari, explained to the media that the Maldonado stream basin reached a water input of 143% at six in the morning, decreasing to 108% hours later. "The level of General Paz began to drop after seven, when the flow reached its peak," he detailed.
The situation was more dramatic in the Kirchnerist municipalities of the suburbs, where the stormwater system collapsed again. In San Martín,streets turned into rivers and several vehicles were swept away by the current in Villa Maipú. On social media, residents reported the absence of municipal teams and demanded works that are promised in every campaign and never materialize.
In La Matanza, firefighters reported preventive actions due to fallen trees and structural damage, although "no people were evacuated". However, images of flooded streets and floating cars were repeated in Ramos Mejía, González Catán, and Gregorio de Laferrere, where the water reached 50 centimeters (1.64 feet) in some areas.
El diluvio de más de 100 milímetros de lluvia que expuso el colapso urbano en distritos kirchneristas
The provincial director of Civil Defense, Fabián García, acknowledged in a media interview that "these episodes will continue to repeat themselves" and that "the ground no longer absorbs because it is saturated". Although he downplayed the impact—"it was not as strong as expected"—he admitted that there were preventive evacuations in Arrecifes and Salto.
During the morning coverage, rescue scenes were recorded at General Paz and Beiró, where a man with water up to his waist was removed by emergency personnel. Flooding was also reported on the Panamericana and the La Plata–Buenos Aires Highway, with reduced traffic due to water accumulation.
Kicillof's statements
The situation exposed the contradictions of Governor Axel Kicillof, who during his 2019 campaign had stated that "if there is a flood, it is the governor's responsibility." Today, his own administration was left underwater. "In 2015 I learned that if there was a flood it was the governor's fault. The government changed, and now it seems it is the mayor's fault," he said at the time. Six years later, the hardest-hit districts—San Martín, La Matanza, Quilmes, and Lanús—all belong to his political space.
The hydraulic works he promised remain unfinished or with minimal progress. Among them, the expansion of the reservoirs in the Reconquista basin and improvements to the drainage systems in the suburbs. The promises of a "present State" fade every time it rains heavily. Residents improvise barricades, mayors demand help, and the provincial government limits itself to statements.
