Heavy rains triggered a series of mudslides and landslides in northern Chile on Tuesday, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people in various towns. Authorities reported one death caused by the weather conditions.
The National System for Disaster Prevention and Response ordered the evacuation of several communes due to rising river levels and the risk of further mudslides containing mud and debris. Tocopilla, in the Antofagasta region, was one of the hardest-hit areas, with images showing a mudslide that swept vehicles and sediment through the town's narrow streets.
By Tuesday afternoon, Senapred had registered 343 people sheltering in emergency shelters, mainly in Antofagasta. The rains also caused road closures, disruptions to water and electricity services and the isolation of some communities. At the border with Bolivia, the Chungará border complex was closed as a precaution due to snow, stranding about 10 buses with approximately 300 people.
The Ministry of Education suspended classes in at least three regions, while five health facilities were taken out of operation and their patients were transferred to other centres. Chile's Meteorological Directorate predicts that rain, snowfall, winds and possible thunderstorms will continue until at least Friday, caused by a segregated low-pressure system generating atmospheric instability.
Chile has strengthened its monitoring and response measures for climate emergencies this year ahead of the arrival of the El Niño phenomenon, whose impact could extend until March 2027.
