Original source (on modern site)
What happened, where and when? Since 21 June, central and southern Chile have experienced the heaviest rainfall recorded in the last 30 years. On 23 June, the impact intensified as communities faced flooding caused by swollen rivers, resulting in more than 21,673 people affected, 6,575 people isolated and 1,651 people sheltered, primarily in rural areas. Subsequently, on 24 June, the government declared a state of catastrophe spanning from the Valparaíso Region to the Biobío Region, approximately 450 kilometers south of Santiago. A frontal system has affected several regions, including Valparaíso, Santiago Metropolitan, Libertador O'Higgins, While the frontal system impacts six regions, the Metropolitan Region, Libertador O'Higgins, and Maule have experienced the most severe consequences, as reported by the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED). SENAPRED has issued a total of 92 cell phone emergency alerts (SAE) for evaluation during this event Scope and Scale According to SENAPRED, as of 30 June, the frontal system impacting central-southern Chile has tragically resulted
in at least 2 fatalities, 2 missing persons, 21,673 people affected, and 6,575 isolated. In terms of infrastructure,
SENAPRED reported 1,623 houses destroyed, 3,059 with significant damage, 4,069 with minor damage, and 6,424
houses currently under damage assessment. Additionally, 79 temporary shelters are currently active with 1,651
people sheltered. Of this, 31 shelters are active in Maule, 21 in Bio Bio, 19 in Libertador O´higgins, 5 in Ñuble, and
1 in each Valparaiso, Metroplitana and La Araucania (1). The current climatic situation has affected a vast area of the country. Heavy rainfall has resulted in widespread
flooding, with the consequences of the frontal system being strongly and extensively felt in the affected regions,
particularly in the following areas: The overflow of the aforementioned rivers and watercourses has caused significant damage to infrastructure,
housing, and crops. Basic services, such as the supply of drinking water and electricity, have also been disrupted. In the Metropolitan area, the frontal system triggered heavy rainfall in the foothills, leading to landslides that blocked
roads and resulted in the isolation of San Alfonso, El Ingenio, and Baños Morales sectors in the town of San José del
Maipo. Simultaneously, the Maipo River, originating from the Maipo basin, overflowed, affecting houses in the Pirque
area. The flooding also caused turbidity in the water purification system operated by Aguas Andinas, posing a threat
to the water supply of a significant portion of the region. Additionally, the Mapocho River experienced a significant
rise, surpassing historical levels. This resulted in the cutting of a bridge on the highway connecting Santiago with
the cities of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, affecting 1,020 individuals across 12 districts, and causing damage to more
than 394 houses. The Libertador O'Higgins region experienced significant impacts due to the flooding of the Tinguiririca and
Cachapoal rivers, which had not reached such high flow levels in over 30 years. This situation has affected numerous
communities and agricultural areas, particularly in the communes of Rengo, San Fernando, Doñihue, and Coltauco. As of 30 June, reports indicate over 11,385 people affected, and more than 5,120 houses suffering various types of
damage. To alleviate the rising water levels, the Rapel hydroelectric complex had to open its floodgates, leading to
some flooding in neighboring areas along the banks of the Rapel River, such as Licantén and La Boca. In the Maule region, a similar situation has unfolded, with an increasing number of affected individuals due to the
significant concentration of communities situated along the banks of major rivers that have overflowed during the
ongoing frontal system. For instance, in sectors such as Linares, the overflowing of the Batuco stream and Achibueno
river has resulted in a high number of victims and missing persons. Similarly, Curepto has been affected by the
overflow of multiple streams, leading to significant consequences. Furthermore, Licantén, a coastal commune in
the province of Curicó, has been completely flooded due to its location in a meander of the Mataquito river. As a
result, the Licantén Hospital and SAMU Base had to be evacuated. As of 30 June, reports indicate that there are over
5,580 people affected, 1,824 houses damaged, and 1,816 houses undergoing damage assessment. In the Ñuble and Bio Bio region, 3,310 people are reported to have been affected with 1,185 houses damaged.
Additionally, a total of 4,608 houses are currently undergoing damage assessments. The impact of intense winds on the region's infrastructure has been severe, resulting in the uprooting of trees,
damage to power poles, and roofs of houses. The presence of low temperatures and snow in higher-altitude areas
has further exacerbated the challenges, particularly affecting communication routes. The accumulation of snow and
ice has led to road closures and traffic restrictions, disrupting vehicle movement. Given the magnitude of this emergency, local authorities have been compelled to implement emergency measures
including evacuations of high-risk areas, the establishment of temporary shelters, and the mobilization of resources
for the cleaning and repair of damaged infrastructure. According to the forecasts issued by CIIFEN (International Center for Research on the El Niño Phenomenon) more
rainfall is expected for the months of June, July and August in some regions. More specifically: Sources: (1) https://senapred.cl/monitoreo-por-evento-meteorologico-entre-las-regiones-de-valparaiso-y-los-rios/ (2) https://ciifen.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Pronostico_Estacional_Sudamerica_JJA_2023.pdf
Maule, Ñuble, and Biobío. This system has brought moderate to heavy rains and strong winds, compounded by a high zero isotherm (2,800 to 3,000 meters above sea level), resulting in rain over snowy mountainous areas. These conditions have led to flooding, river overflow, and landslides in communities, primarily caused by thawing triggered by this phenomenon. Most affected areas consist of informal settlements, where houses have been partially or completely destroyed, personal belongings lost, and basic services disrupted, along with waterlogging and other associated challenges.