The latest statement from the disaster management agency in Chile says that at least 6 people have now been reported killed in the floods that struck in northern Chile from 24 March 2015. 19 people remain missing.
Flooding has affected the regions of Atacama, Antofagasta and Coquimbo, all in the north of the country.
Atacama Region
The 6 fatalities all occurred in the Atacama region. Atacama fire service say that 7 people have been reported killed. The 19 people still unaccounted for all went missing in the Atacama region.
Chile’s disaster management agency ONEMI say that 748 people are homeless in the region, and 4,104 people are being housed in 10 shelters set up in different municipalities.
35 homes have been destroyed in the floods, with a further 138 suffering major damage and 407 minor damage.
Over 7,000 people remain without drinking water in the municipalities of Tierra Amarilla and Chañaral. Locals report that the floods have left Chañaral without many basic services. The local fire department said that the floods have split the town of Chañaral in two and the main street, Merino Jarpa, is completely destroyed. The situation is so critical the Superintendent of the Chañaral fire department, Fernando Pérez, said that they can not say how many people are still missing in the floods.
The town of El Salado, in the commune of Chañaral, is totally isolated after the Salado river overflowed. ONEMI say that emergency workers are present in the town.
Antofagasta Region
Around 858 people are currently displaced by the floods and are being housed in shelters set up in different municipalities. ONEMI report that some of those initially displaced or evacuated in the region have since been able to their homes.
Coquimbo Region
Floods in the Coquimbo region have left 12 people injured and 614 people evacuated. Five shelters have been set up to house the displaced. At least 4 houses have been destroyed and 392 damaged.
Rescues and Assessment
Road conditions have been so bad that the government turned to using 14 helicopters to carry out rescues, deliver relief items and conduct aerial surveys of the affected areas. More helicopters are expected to be in place over the next 24 hours.
Naval ships have also been used to deliver relief supplies such as drinking water, food and blankets. Over the next 24 hours Atacama Desert Airport is expected to be operational again allowing for relief supplies to be flown in.
Around 100 military personnel have been sent to the affected areas to help with relief and rescue work in Copiapo, Diego de Almagro and Chañaral.
Medical Care
Local hospitals and medical centres have been affected by the floods, in particular in Atacama region. Chile’s Ministry of Health are therefore sending out vaccine supplies to the area. A military medical centre is to be set up in Diego de Almagro.
Schools Suspended
Classes have been suspended across Antofagasta and Atacama regions, and also in parts of Coquimbo region, including the municipalities of Vicuña, La Serena, La Higuera, Paihuano and Coquimbo.
Alerts and Weather Forecast
Red alerts for river levels and heavy rain remain in the region of Atacama, and also in some places in Antofagasta region, including the municipalities of Antofagasta, Tocopilla and Taltal.
According to ONEMI, over the next 24 hours rainfall is expected to continue in the foothills and mountains of the Antofagasta and Atacama. ONEMI say that overall, rainfall is expected to be less intense in all flood-affected regions.
