The Chilean Meteorological Directorate (DMC) submitted a project in September 2022 to equip the Metropolitan Region with two weather radars. The Metropolitan Regional Government (GORE) did not prioritize it, and no funding was provided, according to BioBioChile.
The initiative sought more than $6,300 million from the National Regional Development Fund (FNDR). With those resources, the DMC, which reports to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC), wanted to add weather stations, storm detectors and the two radars.
The aim was to strengthen the Early Warning System (SAT) to anticipate debris flows, floods and thunderstorms, especially in the Andean foothills. In its application, the DMC argued that climate change brings "more frequent and severe weather conditions".
According to the project, the radars would distinguish the type of precipitation, whether rain, snow, hail or graupel, and measure its intensity. They would also locate the 0 °C isotherm, which marks the point where snow begins to fall. They would also measure cloud speeds and detect the possible formation of tornadoes and their movement.
The issue returned to public debate during the rainiest October on record in the capital. On October 8, heavy rainfall over a short period caused a debris flow in Quebrada Honda, flooding part of San Carlos de Apoquindo, in Las Condes, with water and mud.
On Tuesday the 13th, a storm in Santiago brought hail, lightning and even a tornado. After that episode, the presidential delegate for the Metropolitan Region, Germán Codina, announced that the 2% emergency allocation in the regional budget would be used to buy two radars. Those funds are administered by the Santiago Government.
Governor Claudio Orrego told La Tercera in response that the national government cannot allocate that 2%, although it can request it. He added that GORE has already committed its entire budget for this year, so there is "no possibility" of allocating funds now. He did say that GORE would contact the DMC to see whether the radars are available and whether they can be purchased.
In response to an inquiry from BioBioChile, GORE explained in a statement that the 2022 project did not comply with the Santiago Government's Circular No. 5. That rule requires investments in areas such as defense to be part of a programming agreement with the relevant ministry. The body added that no official from the Ministry of Defense, the DGAC or the DMC requested a meeting to propose such an agreement.
The source does not include a response from the DMC or the DGAC to these statements.
The Regional Government announced that it will meet with the Ministry of the Interior in the coming days to assess the project and its procurement and funding options. According to GORE, a contribution from the central government will be required. The region will determine its contribution based on the budget approved for 2027.
