At least three people have died and hundreds have been displaced after torrential rain and strong winds struck central and southern Chile. The storms, which began earlier this week, have disrupted daily life, with further heavy rainfall forecast for Friday.
For context, Chile’s central and southern regions are prone to seasonal flooding, but this week’s downpours have been particularly severe, prompting emergency responses from national authorities.
Flooding Impact and Evacuations
President José Antonio Kast traveled to the hard-hit Biobío region on Friday to assess the damage and coordinate relief efforts. In a social media post, he noted heavy rain on the roads but confirmed they remained passable, urging caution.
According to SENAPRED, Chile’s disaster relief agency, 466 people are currently in shelters, some evacuated preemptively. Another 158 residents are isolated due to rising water levels, primarily in the Coquimbo region. The agency also reported seven injuries and issued evacuation orders for the Campamento Ribera del Río area near Talagante as river levels rose.
Disruptions Across Chile
The floods have caused widespread disruptions:
- Schools in affected areas suspended classes on Friday.
- State-owned mining company Codelco halted surface operations at the Andina mine due to the storms.
- Approximately 257,000 people remain without power, mostly in southern regions.
The confirmed fatalities include a laborer clearing a road in Negrete, a person who fell while cleaning a roof in Temuco, and a third victim who suffered a fatal electric shock in Santiago.
President Kast, who took office in March, has pledged institutional support for those affected. His administration, which campaigned on a hardline anti-crime platform, now faces its first major natural disaster less than six months into his term.
