Northern Chile hit by severe storms and mudslides

Chile weather emergency Atacama desert floods Tocopilla aluviones SENAPRED state of catastrophe

Severe and atypical storms have struck northern Chile, causing violent mudslides and flooding in the arid regions of Arica y Parinacota, Tarapacá, Antofagasta, and Coquimbo. The disaster has resulted in at least one death due to a rockfall accident and has left hundreds of people displaced. According to SENAPRED, the storm caused major damage to 276 homes and minor damage to 929 others, with approximately 810 people displaced and 22 individuals isolated.

In response, President José Antonio Kast has declared a state of exception of catastrophe for the province of Tocopilla and the Tarapacá region to expedite recovery efforts. The Ministry of Health has also extended a sanitary alert to the Tarapacá and Antofagasta regions due to connectivity issues and potential impacts on healthcare access.

Local authorities are mobilizing resources to address the crisis. The Antofagasta Regional Council approved 1,800 million pesos for urgent repairs, road clearing, and equipment acquisition. Meanwhile, the Chilean Navy has deployed personnel and maritime units to assist isolated communities in Tocopilla and Taltal. Educational authorities are currently evaluating the safety of school infrastructure before allowing students to return to classes.

Entities

Antofagasta · Armada de Chile · José Antonio Kast · Senapred · Tarapacá · Tocopilla

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] The storm caused 276 houses with major damage and 929 with minor damage. www.lu24.com.ar · exclusiva.com.ar · mediosrioja.com.ar · www.radioeme.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Naval personnel are deployed to assist communities in Tocopilla and Taltal. elreporterodeiquique.com · www.region2.cl
[● 3 SOURCES] A state of exception of catastrophe was declared for the province of Tocopilla. www.lu24.com.ar · exclusiva.com.ar · mediosrioja.com.ar
[○ 1 SOURCE] A state of exception of catastrophe was declared for the Tarapacá region. radiopaulina.cl
[● 4 SOURCES] One person died in a traffic accident caused by falling rocks. www.lu24.com.ar · exclusiva.com.ar · mediosrioja.com.ar · www.radioeme.com
[● 2 SOURCES] 1,800 million pesos were approved to respond to damages in the Antofagasta region. elreferente.cl · www.enlalinea.cl
[DISPUTED] The storm left 810 people displaced and 22 people isolated. www.lu24.com.ar · exclusiva.com.ar · mediosrioja.com.ar · www.radioeme.com
[● 2 SOURCES] A sanitary alert was extended to the Tarapacá and Antofagasta regions. www.lu24.com.ar · tarapacaonline.cl