Chile faces a new storm, which from this Monday reaches the central zone with a forecast of rain for Santiago, the capital of the South American country. The frontal system that is hitting Chilean territory — which has joined the one that last week caused a catastrophe in the Atacama and Coquimbo regions in the north — is now advancing from the south of the country and has caused the first emergencies in Biobío and Maule, where the National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (Senapred), the agency responsible for managing emergencies in Chile, has declared a red alert due to rising rivers. This situation has been compounded by a suspension of classes that has been ongoing since the previous weather event. Authorities continue to monitor the flow of torrents, issue evacuation alerts, extend preventive measures, and update the operation of educational establishments.
How the frontal system is progressing in Chile
This new storm has started in the southern zone of Chile. Intense precipitation has fallen since Sunday night and early Monday morning in the Biobío, Ñuble, and Maule regions. Further south, in La Araucanía, Los Ríos, and Los Lagos, the same scenario of constant rain that has persisted for at least three weeks continues. Senapred has warned about the possibility of convective clouds — vertical-type clouds (such as cumulonimbus) capable of generating strong winds, intense gusts up to tornadoes or waterspouts — between Ñuble and Los Lagos. During Monday afternoon, the frontal system is expected to fully enter O’Higgins, the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, and Valparaíso, in an event that arrives with more moderate rain than last week but with the possibility of thunderstorms near the Andes mountain range. The Coquimbo region, which received heavy precipitation a week ago, will receive the final part of this storm with lighter rains, according to forecasts.
How the rain is in Santiago
The Chilean capital, which has withstood the effects of the latest storms beyond street flooding, receives this new frontal system after a brief truce of precipitation that extended through Sunday. Authorities are monitoring the situation in the Metropolitan Region, which remains under an early preventive alert. For this Monday, it is estimated that between 2 and 5 millimeters will fall in the central valley, while on Tuesday, July 28, between 10 and 15 millimeters are expected. These amounts of rain are typical for winter in Santiago, Chile. Attention is focused on the mountainous area, as it is estimated that the zero isotherm — the altitude at which the air temperature reaches 0° — will reach between 2,700 and 3,100 meters above sea level, a higher altitude that could melt snow and cause some river rises or possible mudslides. The National Geology and Mining Service (SERNAGEOMIN) has reported a moderate risk of mass movements due to precipitation in the foothills and mountains.
Where red alert was declared due to river overflow
On Monday morning, Senapred declared a red alert for all municipalities in the Maule region and in the communes of Tucapel, Cabrero, and Los Ángeles, in Biobío, due to river rises and overflows caused by the storm. In Maule, the General Water Directorate (DGA) detailed that the hydrometric stations of Río Perquilauquén in San Manuel; Río Achibueno in La Recova; Río El Melado in El Salto; Río Maule in Armerillo; and Río Palos at the junction with Colorado are above the red threshold, which implies an increased risk for the population near these watercourses. In Biobío, monitoring focuses on the Río Laja stations in Tucapel 2; Río Biobío in Longitudinal; and San Carlos de Purén, which are also at the red threshold. A red alert means that all necessary and available resources will be mobilized to act and control the situation, given the extent and severity of the event. Emergency Alert System (SAE) messages will also be activated to request evacuation of the population in the highest risk areas.
Read more El Tiemblo resists the fire amid the smoke and with hardly any coverage
Which communes suspended classes
The Ministry of Education has confirmed that for this Monday, July 27, classes remain suspended in the commune of La Higuera in the Coquimbo region. In Atacama, the suspension of school activities extends for three days — from Monday, July 27 to Wednesday, July 29 — in the communes of Vallenar, Alto del Carmen, Freirina, and Huasco, all belonging to the Huasco province. The authority has also decreed the preventive suspension of classes for this day in all educational establishments in the Ñuble region, both public and subsidized private, at the preschool, primary, and secondary education levels.
What Senapred recommends during the frontal system
The agency that manages emergencies in Chile has issued several recommendations to face possible floods. For people living near rivers, ravines, canals, lakes, reservoirs, and other watercourses, it is suggested that the population be informed about previous overflows and floods; maintain vigilance of channels, ravines, lakes, and lagoons during periods of heavy rain and thaw; do not throw garbage into watercourses even if they are dry, as this can cause blockages and subsequent overflows and floods; notify the municipality in case of blockages and overflows of watercourses; and try to keep the surroundings of the home free of waste and debris. In case of flooding, it is recommended to move away and go to a higher area; if possible, disconnect the home’s electrical system; walk in high places; evacuate the home; obey SAE evacuation alerts; and protect animals.
What the forecast says for the next hours
The Chilean Meteorological Directorate (DMC) has reported that in the case of Santiago, the weather forecast estimates that from Monday night the first showers (light rain) will fall, while it is expected that during the rest of Tuesday the skies will remain overcast with showers. Between Wednesday, July 29 and Thursday, July 30, there will be no precipitation and the skies will remain cloudy. On Friday, July 31, the day will start cloudy, but during the afternoon a new rain with moderate intensity will begin, which will continue through the night. In Valparaíso, the rain will also pause during the week to return on Friday, with winds between 25 and 40 kilometers per hour. In Talca, in the Maule region, precipitation will extend until early Wednesday, when a break will also begin that will end on Friday morning with a new pulse of rain.