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Severe rains in Chile have caused extensive damage, flooding, and power outages, leading to evacuations and a disaster zone declaration.
Heavy rains battered Chile on Thursday, wreaking havoc across much of the country. The severe weather damaged homes, flooded roads, caused power outages, and triggered mudslides that swept through residential areas, significantly affecting the central and southern regions of Chile.
The week-long storms have displaced residents and forced school closures. Over 2,000 homes have been damaged, and 60,000 people have lost power. The inclement weather turned deadly when strong winds caused a tree to fall on a tractor, killing one person late Wednesday.
Why This Matters: In response to the widespread destruction, authorities have declared a "disaster zone" encompassing a large part of the country, including the capital Santiago and seven other provinces. In the Bio Bio region, south of Santiago, landslides destroyed dozens of homes, though fortunately, these had been evacuated hours earlier, preventing further casualties.
Viña del Mar, a popular coastal resort city, saw flooding that necessitated the evacuation of approximately 150 residents. The storm system, known as a frontal system, combines warm and cold air masses, resulting in heavy precipitation and moving northward to Santiago.
"The city is resisting, but we call for responsibility," said Claudio Orrego, Governor of the metropolitan region, urging residents to stay indoors for their safety.
As a precaution, the education ministry suspended classes for the remainder of the week in seven of Chile’s 16 regions, including the capital. This measure is aimed at reducing risk and keeping residents safe as the adverse weather continues.
Chile’s geographical features, including its extensive 84,000 kilometers (52,195 miles) of coastline, over 1,250 rivers, and rugged terrain with limited flat areas, make it particularly vulnerable to natural disasters and complicate rescue operations.
Key Takeaways:
- Torrential rains in Chile damaged homes, caused power outages, and triggered mudslides.
- Over 2,000 homes damaged and 60,000 people lost power across affected regions.
- A disaster zone declared, including Santiago and seven other provinces.
- Schools closed in seven regions as a preventive measure against ongoing storms.
- Chile's rugged terrain and extensive coastline heighten vulnerability to natural disasters.