The National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) declared a Red Alert for the entire Metropolitan Region on Tuesday afternoon. The measure responds to the heavy rainfall, hailstorms and thunderstorms affecting Santiago.
According to Emol, the frontal system caused power outages and disruptions to public transport. It also flooded several major roads in the capital and caused traffic jams as water accumulated in the streets.
The latest report from the Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels (SEC) indicates that more than 36 thousand customers remain without power in the region. The sources do not specify which municipalities account for most of the outages or when service is expected to be restored.
Flooding was reported at Manuel Montt station on Line 1 of the Santiago Metro. The company said weather conditions were preventing normal service on that section.
For that reason, Metro made Los Leones and Salvador stations, also on Line 1, exit-only. Pedro de Valdivia station was closed.
The most serious situation was reported in Peñalolén. Three companies from the Ñuñoa Fire Department are carrying out rescue operations in a flooded underpass where, according to preliminary information, six people are believed to be trapped by the accumulated water. At the time of publication, there was no official report on their condition.
In Estación Central, meanwhile, Terminal Sur reported that strong gusts of wind had dislodged structures and moved lightweight objects.
The sources consulted do not include specific recommendations from the authorities for the public. Senapred's Red Alert remains in effect throughout the Metropolitan Region while the weather event continues.
