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At least 13 people have died and more than 60,000 remain cut off after severe storms battered parts of Chile, authorities said, as efforts intensify to restore basic services in the affected areas.
The storm, which began on July 15 in southern Chile, later swept into the typically arid regions of Coquimbo Region and Atacama Region—areas unaccustomed to such intense rainfall.
“We have 13 dead and seven missing,” said Alicia Cebrián, director of the national emergency service SENAPRED.
Government reports indicate that around 2,800 homes have been destroyed, while swollen rivers and mud-blocked roads have left multiple towns isolated.
Residents described the situation as unprecedented. “I’m 57 years old and I had never seen an emergency like this,” said Patricia Albornoz, a community leader in Coquimbo. “The most shocking thing was seeing rivers and ravines overflow.”
Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado warned that although rainfall is expected to ease, significant risks remain due to overflowing riverbeds and unstable terrain.
In response, President José Antonio Kast has declared a state of emergency in the worst-hit areas, enabling faster deployment of resources and emergency support.
Authorities are now focusing on reconnecting stranded communities and restoring essential services as the country grapples with the aftermath of the devastating floods.