According to La Tercera, Felipe Alessandri, mayor of Lo Barnechea, highlighted the preventive work carried out in his comuna (municipality) ahead of the new frontal system. Lo Barnechea is among the ten comunas of the Región Metropolitana (the Santiago Metropolitan Region) under a Red Alert for landslide risk.
The Servicio Nacional de Prevención y Respuesta ante Desastres (Senapred, Chile's national disaster prevention and response agency) declared the alert on Sunday for mountain and foothill areas. According to the newspaper, the agency took into account the forecast rainfall and ground conditions. The report does not specify the other nine comunas.
Alessandri recently met with Senapred to prepare the comuna for the weather event. His main concern is soil saturation, which after the recent rains increases the likelihood of landslides.
"We are concerned and we are taking this alert with the utmost seriousness," the mayor said. He explained that since the previous rains, the municipality has cleaned watercourses, storm drains and streets, as well as removed debris. He also warned that "prevention helps reduce risks, it does not make them disappear".
In addition to this work, containment nets have been installed in the Huallalolén, Ñilhue and Seca ravines. These structures hold back material coming down from the mountains and aim to reduce the impact of potential mudslides in exposed areas.
The Dirección General de Aguas (DGA, Chile's General Directorate of Water) ordered the closure of canal intakes in the Región Metropolitana between October 18 and 23. There will be exceptions subject to specific safety and operating conditions. The measure also requires removing anything that obstructs water flow and taking precautions at canals, small reservoirs and dams.
The alert coincides with other measures in central Chile. The Government declared a preventive climate emergency from Coquimbo to Biobío due to heavy rain, hail and landslides.
"In a foothill comuna we have to act ahead of time and responsibly," Alessandri said. He asked residents to "avoid going near rivers and ravines, stay informed through official channels and follow the authorities' instructions." The closure of canal intakes will remain in effect until October 23.
