In a shocking incident in Ñemby, a district in the Central Department of the Asunción metropolitan area, torrential rainfall led to the overflowing of the Arroyo Ñemby (Ñemby Stream), causing a house wall to collapse and sweeping away four parked vehicles. This event once again highlights the severe impact of extreme weather phenomena exacerbated by climate change.
Around 4:30 AM on Thursday, a family residing in a house one block from the PY01 highway (former Southern Access Road), near the Ñemby Stream, watched helplessly as their vehicles were swept away by muddy waters. The record rainfall caused the Ñemby Stream to swell with immense current and water levels, its force demolishing a sturdy house wall and instantly pulling the parked vehicles into the raging waters.
The four vehicles lost were a Toyota Fortuner, a Hilux truck, a Chevrolet truck, and a Mini Cooper car. The Toyota Fortuner belonged to the husband, and the Hilux to their son. As of now, only two of the four vehicles have been recovered, while the whereabouts of the other two remain unknown. The family is earnestly appealing to citizens for any information regarding the missing vehicles (phone: 0983-360-984).
Sadi, one of the victims, described the devastating situation in an interview with local media outlet NPY: "The situation was desperate, and I felt helpless, unable to do anything." She recounted, "The water almost entered the house, and the main gate was destroyed. When I went outside, there was nothing I could do; I just sat and watched the situation unfold, protecting the animals in the yard." She added, "It was like a powerful river. I'm still in shock. Everything happened so fast," underscoring the immense power of the rainfall.
One of the contributing factors to this incident is the chronic issue with the Ñemby Stream. The stream has always been a repository for surrounding area waste and rainwater, making it prone to overflowing during heavy downpours. Furthermore, parts of the bridge structure over the Ñemby Stream were damaged by this recent rainfall, raising concerns about potential collapse and warning of additional damage if the city authorities do not intervene immediately.
Local residents unanimously state that the bridge over the Ñemby Stream poses a "danger of death" every time it rains. One resident explained, "Whenever there's heavy rain, there's a tremendous rapid current, and all the water concentrates into the Ñemby Stream as if it were a downhill slope," highlighting the danger.
The flooding in the Ñemby area is part of the record rainfall that hit Asunción and the Central Department. Approximately 120mm of rain fell in Asunción and the Central Department within two hours, significantly exceeding the average annual rainfall. The sudden and intense rain caused widespread flooding and traffic paralysis across the city, resulting in substantial property damage, including submerged homes and swept-away vehicles.
Paraguayan meteorological experts have warned in recent years that the frequency and intensity of localized torrential downpours are increasing due to climate change. They specifically analyze that if urban development proceeds without adequate expansion of rainwater drainage systems or if indiscriminate development occurs around rivers, damages like the Ñemby Stream overflow will only worsen.
The Ñemby municipal authorities are thoroughly investigating the damage, undertaking emergency recovery efforts, and seeking ways to support affected residents. There is also a growing call for urgent long-term measures, including improving the drainage system around the Ñemby Stream and repairing the bridge, to prevent recurrence. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of urban infrastructure re-evaluation and disaster preparedness systems in an era of climate crisis.
[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]
