The National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) declared a Red Alert for the entire Metropolitan Region this Tuesday. Rainfall, thunderstorms and hail were recorded in various municipalities throughout the day.
According to Emol, the measure initially applied only to municipalities in the foothills. It was extended to the entire region because heavy rain was falling in municipalities such as Maipú and San Bernardo.
Before the expansion, the alert covered ten municipalities: San José de Maipo, Puente Alto, Pirque, La Florida, Peñalolén, La Reina, Las Condes, Lo Barnechea, Vitacura and Colina. CNN Chile reported that the initial decision was prompted by the risk of debris flows and landslides. Senapred also announced the extension on its X account.
A Red Alert means that all necessary and available resources are mobilized to respond to and control the situation, given the extent and severity of the event, according to details the service provided to T13. The measure will remain in place "for as long as conditions warrant".
Emol reported that some areas of the region had already been evacuated due to the threat of rising rivers, mass movements and flooding. The sources do not specify which areas were evacuated or how many people left their homes.
Felipe Riquelme, Senapred's deputy director for Disaster Risk Reduction, said the agency continues to monitor the frontal system forecast by the Chilean Meteorological Directorate (DMC) between the Antofagasta and Los Lagos regions. He added that regional directorates continue to coordinate with agencies deployed on the ground.
Senapred advised the public to remain calm, follow instructions from authorities and response agencies, and prepare for a possible evacuation. The service noted that evacuations may be reinforced through Emergency Alert System (SAE) messages sent directly to mobile phones.
Riquelme said the DMC's weather alerts remain in effect, so the forecast for moderate to heavy rainfall in the area still stands.
