Heavy rainfall on 24 and 25 March 2015 left the normally dry regions of Antofagasta, Atacama and Coquimbo in Chile suffering some of the worst floods in their history.
Initial assessments reported that 2 people had died and around 24 were missing. Since then the death toll has increased to 12 people. According to the latest government report, a further 20 are still missing. The flooding has forced 10,966 people from their homes. Currently as many as 4,562 people are staying in temporary shelters set up by local authorities.
Affected Areas
The government has declared a state of catastrophe for the Atacama Region as a whole and also town of Taltal in the Antofagasta Region.
The worst affected areas are Chañaral, Salado and Diego de Almagro, Alto del Carmen and Tierra Amarilla, according to ONEMI, the Chilean civil protection agency.
Over 10,000 remain without electricity in Atacama region. A total of 7,500 people remain without drinking water in the towns of Tierra Amarilla and Chañaral.
The Ministry of Health issued health warnings in the communes of Copiapó, Tierra Amarilla, Diego de Almagro and Alto del Carmen in the Atacama Region.
Classes and education remains suspended in Antofagasta and Atacama and also parts of Coquimbo, although there is a possibility classes may resume in some areas from Monday 30 March 2015.
Alerts
Red alerts still remain in place across the region of Atacama, and also the communes of Antofagasta, Tocopilla and Taltal in Antofagasta. However, no further rain has been forecast.
An earthquake was recorded in Antofagasta Region on 28 March 2015. According to the Chile’s National Seismological Centre, the earthquake magnitude was 5.8 Richter and was located 39 km northeast of Calama.
