Chile: Floods - Jun 2023

Since 21 June, central and southern Chile have experienced the heaviest rainfall recorded in the last 30 years. On 23 June, the impact intensified as communities faced flooding caused by swollen rivers, resulting in more than 21,673 people affected, 6,575 people isolated and 1,651 people sheltered, primarily in rural areas. On 24 June, the government declared a state of catastrophe spanning from the Valparaíso Region to the Biobío Region, approximately 450 kilometers south of Santiago. In terms of infrastructure, SENAPRED reported 1,623 houses destroyed, 3,059 with significant damage, 4,069 with minor damage, and 6,424 houses currently under damage assessment. Additionally, 79 temporary shelters are currently active with 1,651 people sheltered. (IFRC, 6 Jul 2023)

Heavy rainfall has been affecting central-southern Chile, in particular the Araucanía Region, over the last 48 hours, causing a landslide that has resulted in casualties and damage. The WHO PAHO and media report, as of 20 September, three fatalities, one person still missing, a total of approximately 11,000 isolated people, and many other affected people, and two destroyed houses in the Curarrehue Municipality (Cautín Province, southern Araucanía Region). (ECHO, 20 Sep 2023)