Floods hit central Chile after record October rain around Santiago

Heavy rain has caused serious flooding in central Chile. The BBC reports that the Mapocho river burst its banks and flooded large parts of the city of Talagante, about 35 kilometres south-west of Santiago. Police used helicopters to airlift residents and pets to safety after floodwaters rose overnight. Unlike in July’s storms, the riverside community had not been evacuated before the rain.

Africanews describes flooding in Santiago itself. It says floodwater carried away cars, and bus passengers had to climb onto the roof to stay safe. Las Condes, in the east of the capital, was among the worst-hit areas as mud and debris ran through residential streets. Emergency crews rescued people trapped in vehicles and buildings, and soldiers helped to move vulnerable residents. Africanews reports at least six people were injured and 11 residents were moved from a care home for older people. Two private clinics and a university campus were also flooded.

Africanews says the national disaster agency issued a red alert for 10 districts around Santiago because of the risk of more mudslides, and that President Jose Antonio Kast declared a state of catastrophe in Las Condes so that more rescue teams and military equipment can be used. Schools in affected areas closed.

Meteorologists quoted by the BBC say Santiago had 74 millimetres of rain in the first seven days of October, the rainiest October for the area in 76 years. They warned that this year’s strong El Nino weather pattern is likely to bring more wet weather, strong winds and storms to the region during the southern spring.

The BBC says officials found one person dead in a flooded underpass in San Bernardo, south of Santiago, but have not confirmed the cause. Africanews also says authorities were looking into a death south of the capital, and that a link to the flooding had not been established.