The province of San Juan declared a climate and agricultural emergency throughout the territory following the severe storm that affected several departments. This was confirmed by Governor Marcelo Orrego on his social media.
“The storm has hit our province hard, seriously affecting production and the livelihood of many families,” said the governor.
The storm affected areas such as Iglesia, Calingasta, Sarmiento, Pocito, Albardón, Ullum, and Jáchal.
San Juan, in a climate emergency
In this context, Orrego submitted a project to the Chamber of Deputies – with the character of Necessity and Urgency – to declare the climate emergency in the province.
San Juan, in a climate emergency.
Accompanied by the Minister of Economy, Roberto Gutiérrez, he also requested economic assistance from the national government.
The climate emergency will be valid for 120 consecutive days from its approval. During this period, the Executive branch must define and carry out works to assist the most affected areas quickly and mitigate risks of further damage.
The local government reported that the heavy rains seriously damaged the water infrastructure of the province. In response, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Water, and Energy, through the Department of Hydraulics, launched an operation to restore the functionality of irrigation and protection systems.
Works have begun to repair the serious damages. (Photo: X- @DrMarceloOrrego).
In Albardón, construction and repair works were carried out on defenses along the Las Piedritas river, as well as the restoration of defenses on the Yaquin and Ávila rivers, whose erosion affected the General Albardón canal works.
The tasks included the construction of passing siphons and a cement injection system with beams to reinforce an elevated canal and prevent its collapse. It also includes the construction of two new passing siphons and the expansion of population defenses through gabions and ripraps.
Jáchal, the most affected
Jáchal was one of the most affected departments, as the storm caused a significant flood that exceeded the “existing defenses,” affecting homes and infrastructure.
According to the governor, the flooding in that area was the largest since 2004.
The gate system of the Pachimoco dam was damaged there, rendering one of them unusable, which required the Hydraulics Department team to make repairs to restore its operability.
Have you visited our YouTube channel yet? Subscribe now!
