The city was thrown into chaos as a power outage left streets without functioning traffic lights, disrupted most subway lines, and brought a heatwave with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius. This was not an isolated incident, as a massive blackout had already occurred earlier in the day, after 1 pm on Wednesday, affecting several neighborhoods in the capital and other areas in the Buenos Aires metropolitan region. The latest power cut, which struck at around 12:40 pm, had a significant impact, leaving approximately 622,000 users – roughly 2 million people – without electricity. As the day wore on, with the intense heat showing no signs of relenting, around 154,000 users were still without power by 5 pm.
The situation was further complicated by the fact that two high-tension transmission lines from the Edesur power distributor went out of service, leading to the power cut. These lines were connected to the two that had failed earlier in the day, but the original cause of the fault remains unknown. The second power cut affected tens of thousands of users and even caused a brief blackout at the Casa Rosada, the official residence of the President of Argentina. Several subway lines in the city were also disrupted due to the incident, exacerbating the challenges faced by commuters.
Meanwhile, the National Meteorological Service (SMN) warned of an incoming heatwave, issuing a red alert for extreme heat in nine provinces. Initially, 550,000 users were affected by the power cuts, which were later increased to 622,000. The city’s government, led by Jorge Macri, responded to the crisis by deploying a special operation involving traffic and security agents, as well as providing assistance at critical points affected by the power cut.
According to the city’s authorities, more than 50 traffic lights stopped functioning, causing significant disruptions to the flow of traffic. Furthermore, firefighters from the City of Buenos Aires intervened to assist over 50 people who were trapped in elevators due to the power outages. The city’s emergency services were stretched to the limit as they worked to respond to the crisis and restore normalcy to the affected areas. As the situation continued to unfold, the city’s residents were left to cope with the challenges posed by the power cuts, Heatwave, and resulting disruptions to essential services.
Key Facts About the Power Outage
- Approximately 622,000 users were affected by the power cut, which translates to around 2 million people.
- The power outage occurred at 12:40 pm and was caused by the failure of two high-tension transmission lines from the Edesur power distributor.
- The city’s government deployed a special operation to respond to the crisis, involving traffic and security agents, as well as assistance at critical points.
- More than 50 traffic lights stopped functioning, and firefighters assisted over 50 people trapped in elevators.
- A red alert for extreme heat was issued in nine provinces, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius.
Response and Relief Efforts
The city’s authorities and emergency services worked tirelessly to respond to the crisis, with a focus on restoring power and providing assistance to those affected. The government’s special operation aimed to mitigate the impact of the power cut, while firefighters and other emergency responders worked to rescue those trapped in elevators and provide support to vulnerable communities. As the situation continues to unfold, the city’s residents are bracing themselves for further challenges, with the heatwave and power outages combining to create a perfect storm of disruptions.