Days of heavy rainfall swelled Chile’s rivers, causing deadly floods as the country sees the worst weather front in a decade.
At least two people are dead and three others missing after days of heavy rainfall swelled Chile’s rivers, causing widespread floods.
The deluge blocked roads and prompted an evacuation in the centre of the country amid what has been described as the worst weather front in a decade.
President Gabriel Boric visited the region over the weekend with local authorities.
“Unfortunately, two of our citizens who were trapped under fallen trees lost their lives and three missing people are being sought,” he said.
At least 419 people were left homeless and 1,002 others evacuated to safe places due to the disaster, Boric said.
Various parts of the port city of Valparaiso were also affected by the floods, he added.
Interior minister Carolina Toha announced that a “state of disaster” has been declared in Valparaiso and Biobio.
Authorities also warned residents to be careful, saying the heavy rains and risks of flooding will continue for a while.
Climate change is increasingly driving extreme weather.
The rains come months after a period of wildfires and severe drought that destroyed hundreds of homes and left dozens of people dead in Chile.
A view of the damage caused by the overflowing Cachapoal River as a result of heavy rains in the Coltauco commune.
Firefighters walk through flooded streets in the Coltauco commune.
People look at the flow of the Mapocho River in capital
Technicians from the Aguas Andinas company observe a water catchment dam on the Maipo in San Jose de Maipo, Santiago.
People being rescued in an inflatable dinghy in Coltauco, Rancagua, south of Santiago.
People take their belongings out of their flooded houses in Hualqui.
By Richard Koomson| mediacentralonline.info |Ghana
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