Two dead, thousands homeless in Chile after heavy rains

Two people have lost their lives due to flooding in the central-southern region of Chile on Monday. Additionally, thousands of individuals have been evacuated or left homeless as a result of the dangerous rains impacting isolated communities.

While visiting one of the worst affected areas located approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) south of the capital Santiago, President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of catastrophe on Monday.

The central-southern part of Chile has experienced some of the heaviest rainfall in three decades, which started in late June. The El Nino weather pattern leading to rainier winters and springs in the area, coupled with warmer temperatures, has exacerbated the situation.

Weather forecasters are predicting further rainfall in the mountainous regions, increasing the risk of flooding and landslides.

The Chilean disaster agency Senapred reports that over 26,000 people are currently cut off from basic services, and nearly 34,000 individuals have been evacuated. Moreover, approximately 38,000 people in the affected area, which predominantly consists of rural farming communities, are without electricity.

Reuters interviewed Silvia Rojas, whose home was severely affected by the flooding. She stated, “There are three vehicles in my window and the furniture is destroyed.”

President Boric has urged Chileans to comply with evacuation orders, emphasizing the significant risk of rivers overflowing. He stressed the importance of taking such orders seriously, stating, “When these messages are received, it is not a joke, you must evacuate immediately.”

The ongoing winter weather season in Chile has been marked by abnormal high temperatures and the most intense rainstorms seen in decades. This has resulted in thousands of individuals being displaced and roads being blocked in the south-central region of the country.

In June, the government had also declared a state of catastrophe when severe weather impacted the El Teniente mine, the largest copper mine owned by state-owned Codelco. Fortunately, there have been no disruptions to mining activities following the recent storms, as reported by the company.

Reporting by Natalia Ramos and Lucinda Elliott; Editing by Josie Kao