At least 13 people have died and seven others are missing after heavy rains swept across Chile, officials said Tuesday.
The storm affected Chile from its central region to its south, causing widespread flooding, road closures and damage to homes.
President Jose Antonio Caste declared a state of emergency in the affected areas on Monday.
What is the extent of the damage?
“We have 13 people killed and seven missing,” Alicia Cebrian, director of Chile’s SENAPRED national emergency service, told reporters.
According to Cebrian, in addition to the casualties, 2,281 people have been displaced, 81 homes have been destroyed and 2,761 more have suffered major damage, while 87,000 people are without electricity.
Government officials said power supply has been disrupted due to washed out roads and they are seeking permission from power distributors for continued power cuts.
School classes were suspended in several municipalities in the four regions.
Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado said the rain was expected to ease, but danger still remained due to “swelling of river beds and ravines.”
“Rainfall over the past few days has weakened waterways, rivers and riverbanks; some of them are still at risk of rising water levels,” Cebrian said.
Edited by: Rana Taha
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