Biminister Louis De Grange reported progress in infrastructure recovery after the frontal system that mainly hit Coquimbo and Huasco province. The preliminary reconstruction cost could reach US$700 million.
The Ministry of Public Works released a balance of damages caused by the frontal system in the north and center-south regions of the country. There were 358 roads affected, 17 inoperative bridges and 308 rural drinking water systems suspended.
The hardest hit areas were the Coquimbo Region and Huasco province in Atacama. President José Antonio Kast decreed a state of catastrophe and health alert in those zones.
De Grange detailed that in Coquimbo Route 5 operates with time restrictions and 53 of 168 affected roads have been enabled. In Huasco 57 of 116 roads have been recovered. The minister estimated that public infrastructure reconstruction will cost between US$400 and US$500 million, and could reach US$700 million when adding roads, water and telecommunications.
The Government is evaluating use of the 2% constitutional emergency fund, although De Grange said the State has resources for reconstruction without extraordinary measures.
