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Emergency in Chile: Frontal System Affects Thousands and Causes Severe Damage

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• The government declared a state of catastrophe in the Biobío Region and a preventive emergency in other areas due to intense rainfall.

Central-southern Chile is in a state of emergency after being hit by a powerful frontal system that has left 700 homes damaged, over 300 people isolated, and around 3,400 affected, primarily in the Biobío Region. Given the scale of the damage, President Gabriel Boric, currently on a tour in Europe, declared a state of catastrophe in the region and a preventive emergency in areas from Coquimbo to Ñuble.

The rains, which intensified this week, have caused rivers and streams to overflow, wreaking havoc in various localities. The National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) issued a red alert for overflow risks in the provinces of Arauco and Concepción. The most critical situation is observed near watercourses, where the Pichilo River, Andalién River, Bellavista Stream, and Lía River have exceeded their natural limits.

Deputy Interior Minister Manuel Monsalve reported that the Biobío Region is facing intense rainfall in short periods, with records of up to 215 millimeters in one week in towns like Curanilahue. The La Araucanía Region has also been severely affected, with 14 homes damaged in Loncoche due to heavy rains.

From Germany, President Boric emphasized the importance of taking precautionary measures and urged the population to heed evacuation calls and alerts from the Emergency Alert System (SAE). The president assured that, despite his distance, the government continues to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to assist affected areas.

The declared state of catastrophe aims to streamline public institution operations, enabling a faster response in contracting services and acquiring goods needed to address the emergency. Once the crisis is over, the Ministry of Social Development will apply the Basic Emergency File (FIBE) to determine the type of aid required by those affected.

The emergency has led to the suspension of classes in 1,291 educational institutions across the Maule, Biobío, La Araucanía, and Los Ríos regions, a measure that will extend until Friday in the Biobío Region, including all educational levels.

The government and local authorities continue working together to provide assistance and security to citizens while remaining alert to the possibility of further rainfall that could worsen the situation.