Severe Floods and Mudslides Strike Santiago as Heavy Rains Hit Chile
Heavy rains and severe floods struck greater Santiago, injuring at least six people and prompting a state of emergency in Las Condes as the Mapocho River overflowed.
Heavy rains struck greater Santiago on Thursday, triggering severe floods and mudslides that swept away cars and inundated homes. Authorities reported that at least six people were injured, and numerous residents were forced to evacuate.
Chilean President declared a state of emergency in the Las Condes district, an affluent eastern suburb of Santiago. The declaration grants government agencies broader powers to address the crisis after torrential rains turned major thoroughfares into impassable zones.
District officials noted that the area received 14.4 centimeters of rain in recent days—nine times the historical average for October, leaving the soil completely saturated. The Mapocho River, which crosses Santiago, overflowed its banks, prompting mandatory evacuation orders.
Chile's emergency agency issued high alerts for ten additional districts due to the risk of further mudslides and ordered schools closed on Friday. Earlier rains had already damaged dozens of homes across central Chile and left nearly 12,000 residents without power.