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State of Emergency Declared in Chile After Devastating Rains
๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡น Lithuania /Disasters & Emergencies

State of Emergency Declared in Chile After Devastating Rains

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Heavy rains have caused widespread destruction in Chile's northern regions, typically arid.
  • At least 10 people died, 17 were injured, and four are missing due to the extreme weather.
  • The government declared a state of emergency, allowing for military deployment and restricted movement to aid affected areas.

Unusually heavy rains have devastated northern Chile, regions usually known for their dry climate. The downpours, which began last week, have resulted in at least 10 deaths, 17 injuries, and four people missing, according to Chile's national emergency service SENAPRED. More than 1,100 homes were destroyed or severely damaged by the extreme weather conditions.

In response to the worsening situation, President Jose Antonio Kast declared a state of emergency in the affected areas on Monday. This measure empowers the government to deploy the military, restrict freedom of movement, and quickly mobilize aid. Rising river waters have flooded roads, isolating communities, while mud and power outages have disrupted drinking water supplies in the city of Coquimbo.

What normally falls in a month fell in an hour.

โ€” Maximo PavezVice Minister of the Interior Maximo Pavez described the intensity of the rainfall.

"What normally falls in a month fell in an hour," said Vice Minister of the Interior Maximo Pavez, describing the rainfall as abnormal and extreme. Officials from the national meteorological service noted that such intense rainfall has not been seen in Chile for two decades.

Such a situation we have not had for many years.

โ€” Arnaldo ZunigaA representative from the national meteorological service commented on the rarity of the event.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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