The government declared a Emergencia Climática Preventiva (preventive climate emergency) covering the regions from Coquimbo to Biobío, according to BioBioChile. The measure will be in force from October 18 to October 23 and responds to weather forecasts for this week.
President José Antonio Kast announced the decision on his X account. He wrote that technical reports from the Servicio Nacional de Prevención y Respuesta ante Desastres (Senapred), Chile's national disaster prevention and response agency, together with weather forecasts, led the executive branch to act in advance.
The identified risks include heavy rain, hailstorms and possible mass movements, meaning landslides of earth or rock on hillsides and in ravines. The area covered spans much of central Chile, where most of the population lives.
Kast said he instructed the ministro del Interior (Interior Minister) to formalize the declaration. According to his post, the measure will provide resources and a special state of alert in case of a possible emergency.
The president also asked the public to take preventive measures and follow official emergency communication channels. He also called for planning how to respond to events he described as unpredictable.
So far, the source does not specify which resources will be released or how much money has been committed. Nor does it detail the comunas (municipalities) or areas at greatest risk. BioBioChile reported that it is still gathering information.
The measure takes effect this Sunday, October 18, and runs through Friday, October 23. During that period, Senapred and regional authorities must coordinate the response to any emergencies in the six affected regions.
