A powerful storm in Chile has left at least 13 people dead and thousands affected, officials have confirmed. The storm, which brought heavy rainfall, has also damaged over 60,000 kilometers of roads, according to government officials.
The storm, which began on July 15 in the southern part of the country, has also affected the normally dry regions of Coquimbo and Atacama. Alicia Sebastiana, director of the National Emergency Service, confirmed the deaths and said seven people were still missing.
About 2,800 homes have been damaged due to the rainfall, and rivers and roads have been blocked by water and mud, affecting several cities, according to the Chilean government. Eyewitnesses and those affected have described the storm as catastrophic.
Coquimbo’s leader, Patricia Albornoz, was quoted by AFP as saying that the rivers had overflowed at an unusual speed. Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado said that although the rain was expected to decrease, the risk remained due to the high flow of rivers and streams.
President Jose Antonio Kast has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas.
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