‘We regret the death of a compatriot’: Yamandú Orsi after severe storms in Salto

President Yamandú Orsi of Uruguay has publicly lamented the death of a Uruguayan citizen amidst severe storms that swept across the nation, causing widespread disruption. The heavy weather particularly impacted the department of Salto.

"From the early morning, a severe storm affected 14 departments. We regret the death of a compatriot in Salto," Orsi stated on his social media platform X. The storms also caused significant damage in other areas, including Treinta y Tres, Durazno, Lavalleja, and Tacuarembó. The meteorological institute Inumet issued updated alerts for strong and severe storms on July 18.

Emergency response teams, including firefighters, police, armed forces, and utility company UTE, have been mobilized since the onset of the storms. They are actively engaged in providing assistance to affected populations and working to restore essential services. The National Emergency System (Sinae) has deployed logistics support to departmental governments, with a focus on Salto.

The severe weather also disrupted services significantly, with UTE reporting over 48,000 affected services nationwide, and Salto alone experiencing more than 21,000 power outages. In response to the alerts, the Presidency announced the suspension of the July 18 anniversary event.

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From the early morning, a severe storm affected 14 departments. We regret the death of a compatriot in Salto.