Undersecretary of the Interior Máximo Pavez announced on Wednesday that the 2027 Budget Law includes a tender to purchase weather radars and tsunami warning systems across the country, according to CNN Chile. So far, no other outlet has confirmed the information.
The announcement follows the emergencies caused by weather fronts in recent weeks. These storms intensified because of the phenomenon known as Super El Niño, a stronger version of the Pacific Ocean warming that alters rainfall in Chile.
Pavez addressed concerns from several mayors about a potential lack of radars to monitor emergencies. A weather radar works like a lighthouse that emits waves instead of light. This allows it to detect where rain is falling and how intensely, almost in real time.
"For the 2027 budget, the Government's efforts were focused on improving radar (weather) and tsunami warnings across the country," the undersecretary said. He added that the measure shows the Government wants to strengthen emergency systems according to "the state of the country's public finances".
The source does not report how much the tender will cost, how many units will be purchased or where they will be installed. There are also no dates for the radars to begin operating. It is therefore useful to distinguish between the announcement and actual availability: months may pass between the tender, purchase and installation.
Pavez also said that Claudio Alvarado, who heads both the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of the General Secretariat of Government (Segegob), had instructed officials to find ways to move forward with the purchase. According to the undersecretary, the equipment "requires a large investment", which the Government is willing to consider in response to the rain emergency.
The undersecretary did, however, ask that radars not become the sole focus. He noted that "tomorrow there could be a tsunami, a volcanic eruption or potentially other disasters". He also maintained that forecasts from the Chilean Meteorological Directorate allow for adequate preparation.
The next step will be congressional consideration of the 2027 Budget Law, when the amounts allocated to the tender announced by Pavez will become known.
