Chile Storm Death Toll Rises to Four; Red Alert Issued for Valparaíso

Chile is grappling with the severe impact of an intense storm system, which has claimed four lives and prompted a red alert in the Valparaíso region due to the high risk of landslides and collapses. The storm, described as one of the most significant in recent years, is affecting ten of the country's sixteen regions.

Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado described the situation as complex, warning of more challenging hours ahead and urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. The storm system, characterized by an "intense atmospheric river," began in the center-south and is moving north. It has led to flooded streets, widespread power outages, rough seas, grounded vessels, swollen rivers, and powerful winds gusting up to 160 kilometers per hour in some areas.

The Directorate of Meteorology of Chile (DMC) forecasts that the current rainfall could be the most intense recorded for July since measurements began. The "peak" of precipitation is currently hitting the central regions, including Valparaíso, Coquimbo, and the Metropolitan Region. According to the National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (Senapred), more than 2,500 people are isolated in Coquimbo, approximately 100 houses have been destroyed or significantly damaged, and nearly 400,000 homes are without electricity, primarily in Valparaíso.

In response to the escalating threat, Senapred declared a red alert for Valparaíso due to the high probability of flash floods and landslides. Several communities near rivers like Marga Marga and Quilpué have been evacuated as a precaution against river overflows. Attention is also focused on the Petorca River in Valparaíso, which has historically suffered from extreme drought. Meanwhile, residents in Talagante were evacuated from areas along the Mapocho River's course in Santiago. President José Antonio Kast visited the Biobío region, one of the areas most affected by the rains and previously hit by devastating forest fires in January.

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We continue to face a complex scenario (...) We will still face hours that will be especially demanding, so the call is not to expose ourselves and to avoid unnecessary travel.