Chile floods kill 13 and leave over 100,000 isolated

Heavy rains and a powerful frontal system have battered Chile since mid‑July, causing severe flooding, landslides and river overflows across more than half of the country. Official counts confirm 13 deaths, seven people missing and more than 2,200 displaced. At least 81 homes were destroyed and over 2,700 suffered major damage, while roughly 87,000 residents remain without electricity and 176,000 without running water in the hardest‑hit Coquimbo and Atacama regions.

President José Antonio Kast declared a state of catastrophe for the northern regions, allowing the army to deploy tractors and helicopters to rescue trapped residents and to transport humanitarian aid. Local authorities have distributed blankets, food, water and mattresses, and additional aid shipments totaling around 150 tonnes have been air‑dropped. The disaster has also triggered a silent mental‑health crisis, with increased stress, anxiety and depression reported among affected families.

Infrastructure repairs continue amid blocked roads and damaged power lines. Electricity distributors face potential sanctions for prolonged outages, and the health ministry is monitoring the care of electro‑dependent and dialysis patients in isolated communities.