MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Flooded south Chile regions declared “catastrophe zone”

Some 40 hours of non-stop rain fell in the region

President Michelle Bachelet declared southern Chile's entire (Patagonia) Region IX (Araucanía) a “catastrophe zone” due to this past week's intense rainfall and flooding.

A partial state of agricultural emergency was declared for the hardest-hit areas in Region IX and nearby Regions VIII (Bío Bío) and X (Los Lagos), where 200,000 hectares of farmland have been flooded. Locals say it is the worst weather seen in 40 years. The intense weather left four people dead and more than 27.000 victims. Region IX remains the hardest-hit area, with 17.780 flood victims and 701 people living in shelters. The Bío Bío and Los Lagos areas reported 2.190 and 1.012 flood victims, respectively. "The most important thing is to rescue and safeguard those that are trapped and isolated," Interior Undersecretary Felipe Harboe said. "Then we will provide assistance to those who need shelter, providing them with a roof and food, and we will then help get them back to their homes. We are now delivering boxes of food and coal to meet the people's most urgent needs." Boats provide the only means of transportation in many areas, as overflowing rivers swallowed up roads and paths in many towns. Among other crises, there have been collapses in drinking water distribution in communities like Region IX's Carahue. President Bachelet traveled Wednesday afternoon to Region IX, where she met with Harboe and Carmen Fernández, the national director of the Interior Ministry's National Emergency Office (ONEMI), along with other authorities in the region. The President promised to do everything possible to help those affected by the inclement weather. The government on Wednesday dispatched 12 Air Force helicopters and aircraft with 300 tons of food, clothes, blankets, mattresses and other aid in efforts to help the recovery process. Authorities also continue to rescue people stranded on hills, rooftops or in houses. Fortunately, the torrential rains stopped Wednesday, leaving skies partly cloudy, with little precipitation. The Santiago Times