The storm affecting central-southern Chile leaves 459,286 customers without electricity, with Valparaíso the hardest hit region. Three deaths and multiple preventive evacuations due to rising rivers and streams are reported.
According to the Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels report updated at 19:00 on Thursday, the Valparaíso Region accounts for 227,886 customers without power, followed by La Araucanía with 79,105 and Coquimbo with 47,162. Overall, 94.3% of customers nationwide retain normal service.
The National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (Senapred) declared a red alert in María Pinto due to the threat of overflow from the Mercedes canal and activation of ravines. It also ordered evacuations in sectors of Valparaíso, Quilpué and Talagante due to rising streams and rivers, activating the Emergency Alert System (SAE).
Three people died in Cerro Navia, Temuco and Negrete. The victims died from electrocution, a fall from a roof and being struck by a tree during clearance work. Metropolitan Region Governor Claudio Orrego said, “We have had 90 mm and another 50 mm are still to come.”
