Lucila Sigal and Sebastian Toba

CORRIENTES, Argentina (Reuters ) – Argentina’s northeastern region of Corrientes was hit hard by floods. The flooding left many cattle fields underwater and overwhelmed roads. It happened just months following widespread wildfires that ravaged the region, which also destroyed valuable wetlands.

The floods began in the last week after torrential rains for about seven days, mainly in the towns of San Luis del Palmar and Ituzaingó, near the provincial capital some 800 kilometers (497 miles) north of Buenos Aires.

A Reuters visuals photographer captured images of areas that were covered by water after it had been burned and engulfed in fire during a long drought. Some animals were forced to swim in the torrential rains after fleeing flames.

Orlando Bertoni of Civil Defense Operations of Corrientes said that “we came out of fire but a few months later a flood hit.” He said that the water provided relief, even though roads were closed and some people had to be evacuated.

It is the result of a shortage of water. It must stop raining. But the problem was that everything got charred by the fire. The rain brought some relief.

The provincial capital was not affected by the heavy rainfall of 500 millimeters over a few days. However, better drainage meant that flooding occurred in the fields and villages. Streams overflowed the banks as they headed to Parana River.

The fires that devastated the province from January to March affected more than 1 million hectares, leaving millions of dollars in losses and damaging protected plant and animal wildlife in Iberá National Park, an important wetland.

Bertoni stated, “We’ve had lots of rain in the areas most affected by fires.”

Recent rains are now less frequent, which has allowed water to drain, and some flooding has been reduced.

According to Daniel Bertorello of Corrientes Volunteer Firefighters: “The water’s running away. It is draining. And it is slowly going down.” “Hopefully the wonderful weather continues.”