Santiago, 26 June, 2023 (GNP): A powerful frontal system has caused heavy rainfall across vast areas of Chile since 23 June, leading to widespread devastation.
According to authorities, the catastrophic weather event has already claimed the lives of at least two people, with six others reported missing. Additionally, thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes or find themselves stranded due to the destructive floods.
Since the onset of the severe weather, several regions have experienced significant precipitation. San José de Maipo in the Santiago Metropolitan Region recorded a staggering 126.4 mm of rainfall, while Retiro in Maule Region received 156.6 mm, and Concepción in Biobío Region saw 97.6 mm.
The impact of this disaster has been most severe in the regions of Valparaíso, Santiago Metropolitan, O’Higgins, Maule, Ñuble, Biobío, and Araucanía, according to Chile’s disaster agency, Servicio Nacional de Prevención y Respuesta ante Desastres (SENAPRED).
Over 40 locations have reported road closures, isolating nearly 10,000 individuals. Approximately 2,700 homes have suffered damage, with 54 completely destroyed, leaving up to 5,000 people displaced.
In addition, interruptions to the power supply have affected around 15,000 residents. The turbidity of the Maipo River in the Valparaiso Region has significantly disrupted the drinking water supply to 53,000 people residing in the San Antonio, Cartagena, El Quisco, El Tabo, and Algarrobo communes.
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SENAPRED has confirmed one fatality in Concepción, Biobío Region. Furthermore, more than 750 people in Alto Biobío have been cut off from essential services due to severed road connections.
In the Santiago Metropolitan Region, another casualty was reported in Peñalolén, as stated by SENAPRED. Floods have damaged or destroyed numerous homes, displacing hundreds of El Monte, Melipilla, and Lo Espejo residents. In San José de Maipo, approximately 1,123 individuals find themselves isolated from surrounding areas.
The impact in the O’Higgins Region has been severe, with Rengo being one of the hardest-hit areas. A total of 960 residents have been affected, 40 houses have been destroyed, and 200 have suffered significant damage. In Santa Cruz, 400 people have been displaced, and 100 homes have been damaged. Floods have also forced hundreds of people to evacuate in San Fernando and Peumo.
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Meanwhile, in the Maule Region, six individuals have been reported missing after floods struck the Ancoa Reservoir River, specifically in the Callejón el Peumo sector of Linares. Notably, one of the missing persons is a volunteer firefighter who was involved in rescue operations at the time of the incident. Furthermore, approximately 2,500 people have been left isolated due to road damage in Curepto and its surrounding areas.
Authorities are working tirelessly to respond to the crisis, assist affected communities, and initiate rescue operations where necessary. Efforts are also underway to assess the extent of the damage and plan for future recovery and rebuilding.