President José Antonio Kast mobilizes emergency response to severe system frontal in central Chile

The powerful weather system known as a “system frontal” has brought heavy rain, flooding and landslides to several central‑south regions of Chile, leaving three dead and extensive damage to infrastructure. President José Antonio Kast has increased his on‑the‑ground presence, traveling to the Biobío region, holding press briefings and evaluating the use of regional emergency funds. He also inspected the army’s deployment in San Bernardo and the Air Force resources in Pudahuel, preparing troops, helicopters and transport aircraft for rescue and relief operations. Local authorities have been activated: the Ministry of Agriculture sent its subsecretary to the Maule region to review irrigation works and coordinate preventive measures; municipal governments of Atacama (Copiapó), Paihuano and Las Condes have warned residents, set up shelters and deployed crews to monitor rivers, clean drainage channels and clear landslides. In the Atacama region, families in vulnerable campamentos were notified of evacuation risks. The coordinated response aims to protect lives, keep roads passable and mitigate further damage as the system continues to move across the country.