Una intensa tempesta ha colpito Mendoza sabato, causando inondazioni, frane e chiusure stradali che hanno interessato diverse aree. Le autorità hanno segnalato almeno 61 incidenti iniziali, saliti a 193 entro mezzogiorno di domenica. Di conseguenza, l'evento principale del Festival Nazionale della Vendimia è stato rinviato a domenica per motivi di sicurezza.
La tempesta che ha colpito Mendoza sabato 8 marzo 2026 ha causato almeno 61 incidenti, tra cui inondazioni, frane, soccorsi e chiusure stradali, secondo le autorità. Piogge intense hanno interessato Gran Mendoza e le zone montane, isolando diverse persone. A Uspallata e Luján de Cuyo, circa 30 persone sono rimaste isolate nei complessi turistici Pueblo del Río e Tierra Calma, richiedendo operazioni di soccorso da parte delle squadre stradali e di sicurezza per assistere e ripristinare l'accesso. Affected routes included National Route 7, Provincial Route 52 to Villavicencio, and Provincial Route 13, disrupting travel to the mountains. In Godoy Cruz, 14 homes were flooded, a roof collapsed, trees and cables fell, and a canal overflowed, complicating traffic. Guaymallén saw wall collapses and a sinkhole, while in Mendoza City, one person was rescued. In Las Heras, two homes were damaged, and mountain accesses were blocked by sediments. By Sunday midday, Civil Defense counted 193 incidents, such as fallen trees, damaged roofs, flooded homes, and sinkholes, with 48 evacuations in Luján de Cuyo. Municipal crews and emergency teams continued aiding families and repairing services. The storm also forced the postponement of the main event of the National Vendimia Festival, originally set for Saturday at the Frank Romero Day Greek theater near Cerro de la Gloria. Due to a yellow weather alert, it was rescheduled for Sunday at 21:00, as models predicted instability until the afternoon. The show, hosted by Mariana Fabbiani and Marley, will feature dances, live music, light effects, the National Queen election, and closing by Luciano Pereyra. Doors open at 18:00. Marley stated: “The important thing is the fundraising and it will not be affected by the rain.” Daniel Vila, with Pamela David, explained: “The lunch will be next year but that does not mean the fundraising is suspended. Grupo América will carry out solidarity actions based on our four axes: health, sports, education, and environment throughout the year.” Fundraising reached about 1.3 million dollars, potentially increasing. The Subsecretary of Culture advised proper footwear, umbrellas or raincoats, and coats, and urged caution on nearby hills due to unstable terrain from rains. In Greater Mendoza, streets were flooded, and the current dragged away parked cars.
