Argentina (Los Altos-Catamarca): Total losses in potato crops and other crops

A violent storm hit Santa Rosa Department on Friday afternoon and evening, particularly in the town of Los Altos. Heavy rains, gusty winds, and hail caused severe property damage and total losses to the productive sector. Producers in the rural areas of Los Altos, Bañado, and San Pedro reported the destruction of fields planted with tobacco, wheat, potatoes, and seed corn.

The storm struck between 5 and 7 p.m., bringing abundant rain, thunder, and lightning that surprised residents. Neighbors described the event as a true "deluge," which flooded roads, downed poles and trees, ripped roofs, and damaged sheds and irrigation equipment. On several farms, the water covered cultivated fields, directly affecting agricultural production and the work of numerous rural families.

According to reports from producers in Santa Rosa, losses in some areas have reached 100%, especially in tobacco, a crop of great economic importance to eastern Catamarca. Recently installed storage facilities and irrigation systems were also compromised, exacerbating the situation for farmworkers.

Municipal and provincial authorities began a damage assessment this Saturday to determine the true impact of the storm and coordinate assistance for those affected. Civil Defense teams, along with personnel from the Ministry of Production, are patrolling the hardest-hit areas to assess the damage and identify immediate assistance options.

Although the hail did not accumulate on the ground, the intensity of the rain left significant flooding on rural roads and farmland. Toward evening, the rain continued to drizzle, and crews were working to restore power and clear blocked access roads.

The storm, one of the most intense of the season in the eastern region, left local producers deeply concerned, who fear a severe economic impact from the loss of their crops and the destruction of rural infrastructure.