Mudslides, cars swept away, hundreds evacuated: Floods threaten Chile

Heavy rains hit Greater Santiago, causing floods and mudslides that swept away cars and flooded homes. At least six people were injured, and over 1,000 were rescued or evacuated. Chile's president declared a state of emergency in the Las Condes suburb. Meanwhile, the El Niño phenomenon is strengthening and is expected to peak in December.

Heavy rains struck Greater Santiago last night (Thursday), leading to floods and mudslides that swept away cars and flooded homes. At least six people were injured in the events, and many residents were forced to evacuate their homes, authorities reported this morning. Chile's President, José Antonio Kast, declared a state of emergency in the Las Condes district, an affluent suburb east of Santiago. The declaration grants government bodies broader powers to handle the situation, after the heavy rains turned major roads "impassable." The district head, Catalina San Martín, reported that 14.4 centimeters of rain fell in the area in recent days—nine times the October average. She said the area has reached a state of complete saturation. Damage was caused to dozens of homes across central Chile. About 12,000 residents in Santiago were left without electricity. The Mapocho River, which crosses Santiago, overflowed its banks, leading to evacuation orders. Chile's emergency agency declared a high alert in ten additional districts due to fears of further mudslides and ordered schools closed on Friday. According to authorities, at least six people were injured in the floods, including a one-year-old infant who suffered bone fractures. Fire services reported rescuing or evacuating over 1,000 people. As of Thursday, no deaths were reported. The floods occur alongside the strengthening of the El Niño phenomenon, which affects rainfall patterns worldwide. According to the World Meteorological Organization, this year's El Niño is expected to peak in December and may be one of the most powerful events since at least 1950.