An especially wet storm front is sweeping across southern Chile. The Ñuble and Los Lagos regions are taking the brunt of it. Area residents are experiencing flooding and power outages.
Strong rains have been hitting southern Chile the past few days, leaving behind floods, power outages, and, in some cases, isolation.
According to the National Office of Emergency of the Interior Ministry, as of 7 a.m. this morning, in the Ñuble region, there have been no major emergencies reported, other than power outages and evacuations.
In the Biobío region, however, flooding was reported in Antuco, Talcahuano, and Concepción, due to channel overflows; and, in Lota, a sewage water main failure caused rain and sewage to back up into some 20 homes.
Ingreso de agua a viviendas en Lota. Videos dan cuenta de la gravedad del asunto. Desde ya apuntan que sufren cuantiosas pérdidas. Sigue lloviendo incesantemente. @Cooperativa pic.twitter.com/0b4jbRiR0n
— Cristofer Espinoza (@CEspinozaQ) June 1, 2021
In La Araucanía region, landslides were reported in Carahue and Melipeuco, but no families were affected. Also in Melipeuco plus Cunco and Pucón, rivers overran their banks. There was also flooding in Purén, Vilcún, and Lonquimay.
In Los Ríos region, a landslide forced the evacuation of 20 people in Panguipulli. One house was destroyed and two had minor damage. There was also a report of a landslide in Valdivia. Floods were also reported in Futrono and El Corral.
In Los Lagos region, a sinkhole opened up in Chaitén. Authorities re-directed traffic. In Cochamó, minor collapses caused additional alterations in highway traffic. In Cochamó and San Juan de la Costa, floods were reported.
There were also reports of power outages throughout the area. At least 14,500 homes were left without power in the Ñuble and Los Lagos regions. Electric companies are working to bring service back on line.
Authorities are monitoring the weather for emergency situations, as rains are expected to pound the area the rest of this week.
Javiera is from Santiago de Chile, she is studying journalism at Universidad de Chile, since 2017 and doing her internship at Chile Today.