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Chile declared Las Condes, an affluent suburb of Santiago, a disaster zone on Friday after torrential rain caused flash floods and mudslides. At least six people were injured, and more than 1,000 were rescued or evacuated, according to local media reports.
The declaration allows public agencies to take extraordinary measures to coordinate emergency assistance, assess damage and support recovery efforts.
Heavy rain on Thursday sent water and mud through streets, swept away vehicles and flooded homes. The Mapocho River also overflowed, while flooding left roads impassable and prompted emergency crews to respond to calls for help.
Las Condes Mayor Catalina San Martin said 14.4 centimetres (5.7 inches) of rain had fallen in recent days, about nine times the average October rainfall. The saturated ground has increased the risk of further flooding and landslides.
Those reportedly injured included a one-year-old child who suffered fractures. Firefighters and other emergency teams have been assisting residents, clearing debris and restoring access to affected areas.
The National Disaster Prevention and Response Service issued a red alert for 10 municipalities in mountainous and foothill areas of the Santiago Metropolitan Region because of the risk of additional landslides. Authorities urged residents to follow official safety instructions as crews continued to assess damage and respond to potential new incidents.
