SANTIAGO, Chile – A polar air mass has brought record low temperatures to Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, causing at least 15 deaths and forcing governments to restrict gas supplies and activate emergency shelters.
The three South American countries have all recorded sharply below-zero temperatures as the polar air originated from Antarctica and swept across the region.
In Argentina, at least nine homeless people have died from the cold this winter, according to NGO Proyecto 7.
The capital Buenos Aires recorded its lowest temperature since 1991 at -1.9 degrees Celcius on Wednesday, while the coastal city of Miramar saw snow for the first time in 34 years. Further south, the town of Maquinchao recorded -18C on Tuesday.
Electricity demand caused cuts across Buenos Aires, leaving thousands without power for over 24 hours in some areas.
The government suspended gas supplies to industries and petrol stations Wednesday to ensure household supplies, and removed price controls on gas cylinders Thursday.
Uruguay declared a nationwide “red alert” after six people died, allowing President Yamandu Orsi’s government to forcibly move homeless people to shelters.
Montevideo recorded its lowest maximum temperature since 1967 at 5.8C on June 30, according to meteorologist Mario Bidegain.
Chile also activated homeless shelter plans during the coldest days. The city of Chillan, 400 kilometers south of Santiago, hit -9.3C, according to the Chilean Meteorological Directorate.
“What happened this week in Chile and the Southern Cone in general is a cold wave caused by an escape of a polar air mass from Antarctica,” climatologist Raul Cordero from the University of Santiago told AFP.
