Chile rainstorm kills at least 10, state of emergency declared

At least 10 people have died and dozens remain missing after weeklong rainstorms battered Chile, prompting President Jose Antonio Kast to declare a state of emergency in the hardest-hit regions. Authorities report widespread flooding, power outages, and damage to thousands of homes.

The toll

Official figures vary: the national emergency service SENAPRED reported 13 dead and seven missing Source: DW, while other sources state at least 10 fatalities with 16 injured and over 4,000 displaced Source: AP News. The discrepancy likely stems from ongoing rescue efforts. More than 100,000 people have been cut off by flooded roads and swollen rivers.

What caused the storm

Meteorologists blame the extreme weather on El Niño, a climate pattern that brings heavier rainfall to parts of southern South America Source: AP News. The rains have lashed regions from the central zone down to the south, with particular severity in normally arid northern areas like Atacama and Coquimbo.

Response and warnings

• President Kast declared a state of emergency Monday, and school classes were suspended in several municipalities.
• Over 87,000 homes lost electricity, and 2,281 people were displaced, with 81 homes destroyed Source: DW.
• SENAPRED warned that river levels may continue rising even after the rain stops, due to water accumulating in foothills Source: AP News. Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado said risks remain from swollen riverbeds and weakened banks .