Heavy rains cause ‘chaos’ in Chile’s San Pedro de Atacama

Nearly 5,000 people in northern Chile left without running water and electricity.

Hours of heavy rain ravaged the city of San Pedro de Atacama on Wednesday, forcing dozens out of their homes and leaving thousands without running water or electricity.

The National Emergency Office (ONEMI) declared a red alert for San Pedro early Thursday morning due to the considerable amount of rain. Many of the streets in San Pedro were flooded, damaging homes and forcing people to evacuate.

ONEMI reported that 4,950 people in San Pedro were left without basic utilities including running water and electricity. After 244 individuals were affected by the storm, 180 of them tourists, officials stepped in to offer shelter at a local school and the city’s headquarters. 

ONEMI also reported that, as of 8:20 Thursday morning, 34 families have been forced to evacuate their homes in the nearby town of Quitor, and 30 homes were badly damaged in Licancabur by a landslide caused by the rain.

Authorities were forced to close the nearby Jama border crossing between Chile and Argentina, as well as part of the Route-23 highway, due to extensive damage.

Speaking to Radio Cooperativa, San Pedro Mayor Sandra Berna said the city is in a state of disorder. 
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