Chile Suspends Classes in Atacama Due to Approaching Storm System

Classes have been suspended in Chile's Atacama region as the government braces for a significant weather system. The decision, announced Thursday, aims to protect students and educational staff from the heavy rainfall predicted to sweep across the country.

The preventative measure extends a class suspension already in effect for the Coquimbo and Maule regions. The Directorate of Meteorology of Chile forecasts that two frontal pulses will merge, bringing precipitation to the central zone starting Wednesday and lasting through Sunday. The Atacama region will experience these rains by Friday.

Claudio Alvarado, the acting Minister of the Interior and Government Spokesperson, confirmed the suspension for Atacama. He stated that the measure is necessary given the "frontal system that affects the country from north to south."

The National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (Senapred) has been coordinating the response, advising on class suspensions in affected areas. The ongoing weather event highlights the vulnerability of various regions to extreme weather patterns and the government's efforts to mitigate potential risks.

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Along with the class suspension that is already decreed for tomorrow, Friday, between the zones of Coquimbo to Maule, the suspension of classes in the Atacama region is added for tomorrow.