Heavy rains in Chile kill three, displace hundreds
Torrential rain and strong winds have lashed central and southern Chile, causing at least three deaths and forcing hundreds to leave their homes. President Jose Antonio Kast is traveling to the Biobio region to assess the damage.
Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast announced on Friday that he is traveling to the Biobio region, one of the hardest-hit areas, to inspect damage from flooding and the government's response. In a social media post, he shared an image of himself on the road, writing: “A lot of rain on the road, but it’s passable. Take care.”
The country's disaster relief agency, SENAPRED, reported that 466 people remain in shelters, some evacuated as a precaution. Another 158 residents have been isolated by rising waters, mostly in the Coquimbo region. Alicia Cebrian, head of the agency, said seven people were injured.
SENAPRED issued evacuation orders for the Campamento Ribera del Rio area near Talagante due to increasing river levels.
The floods have disrupted daily life, with schools in some areas suspending classes on Friday. State-owned mining giant Codelco halted surface operations at its Andina mine because of the storms.
About 257,000 people remain without power, mainly in the south.
The victims include a laborer clearing a road in the southern town of Negrete, a person who fell while cleaning a roof in Temuco, and another who suffered a fatal electric shock in the capital, Santiago.
Kast, who took office in March and ran on a hardline anti-crime platform, pledged institutional support for those affected.
