MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Storms kill 15 and leave Chile short of energy

The storm of rain and wind that is ravaging central and southern Chile has left 15 people dead, six missing and 30.000 homeless according to the latest reports Thursday from the National Emergencies Office in Santiago.

Extensive areas of Santiago and the metropolitan area have suffered floods, blackouts with trees and poles obstructing routes and roads.

Rail link in the southern regions VIII and IX has been suspended for at least two weeks following mudslides and water erosion which washed away tracks and embankments.

Passengers travelling from Santiago to Temuco must change to buses at half distance and freight by rail in the worst hit regions has been suspended until tracks are inspected and electric signalling can be resumed.

Chile's railways system estimates losses in several million US dollars.

Further south in Punta Arenas 80 miles strong winds injured two people and have caused extensive damage to property and cars parked in downtown.

The city is short of energy, roofs have been blown, electricity poles felled and two small vessels have gone missing.

Tierra del Fuego is completely isolated since the Chilean Navy has banned all sea traffic to and from the country's southern most island.

At the Cristo Redentor tunnel, the main land link between Chile and Argentina an estimated 2.500 loaded trucks are stranded on both sides of the border. Metre deep snow plus strong winds have blocked the tunnel's accesses impeding all movement.

And to make things worse, flooding on the Argentine side, more precisely in Neuquén province from where most natural gas is extracted, has forced a cut in supply to Chile.

Chilean Mining and Energy Minister Karen Poniachik reported that the Loma de la Lata pumping station belonging to YPF in Neuquen is under water which has "forced a considerable decrease in the volume of gas pumped into the pipeline leading to Chile".

"We don't have a complete assessment of damages yet, but Argentine companies are in permanent contact with Chilean distributors and have taken all necessary measures to confront a situation of this nature", said Ms Poniachik.