Residents of several cities in Chile are experiencing the rainiest winter in fourteen years

The Chilean capital is experiencing the rainiest winter of the past fourteen years due to the heavy rainfall of recent days and last June’s storm, and large lagoons that have been empty for years have filled up again.

A similar situation exists in other cities, such as Viña del Mar, a city where impressive images have been seen of a building in danger of collapsing due to a sinkhole caused by heavy rainfall. Twenty-five people staying inside were evacuated from the building in the early hours of the morning.

Nationally, four deaths have been reported, more than 25,000 are homeless, and about 42,000 are isolated.

According to the Chilean Meteorological Directorate (DMC), about 53.5 millimeters of water fell between Tuesday and Wednesday and more than 186 millimeters of water have accumulated so far this winter.

“August is the best of the last eight years in Santiago and the total winter – including June, July and August – since the start of the mega-drought,” said Gianfranco Marcone, a meteorologist for the national broadcaster Tele13.

The rains in Santiago cut roads and caused the suspension of classes in some municipalities, as well as flooding and flooding in areas close to the Andes Mountains, but the damage was minimal compared to the situation in the center-south zone.

“We do not run the risk of the drinking water being cut off. The turbidity of the river is under control and we have sufficient support to ensure the continuity of drinking water,” said Public Works Minister Jessica López, referring to the activity of the Maipo and Mapocho rivers, which supply water to Santiago.

Dead and isolated areas

According to the latest report, the storm has claimed the lives of at least four people and has left more than 41,500 people isolated in several cities across the south, especially in the Maule and Bíobio regions.

“No new precipitation events significant in the central-south zone are expected in the next three days,” Deputy Interior Minister Manuel Monsalve said Thursday.

mega drought zone

Located in Paine, on the outskirts of the capital, the Aculeo Lagoon was one of the symbols of the mega-drought that hit central Chile, but after five completely dry years, it filled with water again due to heavy rainfall.

Chile is the country with the biggest water crisis in the entire Western Hemisphere and according to environmentalists, about 80% of its territory has been affected by drought for a decade and a half.

Experts attribute the lack of water to the lack of rainfall, but also to the water ownership regime, which is 80% privately owned, mostly large agriculture, mining and energy companies. (JO)

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