Police in central Chile have airlifted several residents to safety after rising floodwaters left them trapped in their homes. Recent torrential rains caused the Mapocho River to burst its banks, flooding large parts of the city of Talagante, located 35 km (22 miles) south-west of the capital, Santiago.
Record Rainfall
Santiago has experienced 74 mm of rainfall in the first seven days of this month, marking the rainiest October for the area in 76 years, according to meteorologists. They have warned that this year's unusually strong El Niño climate phenomenon is likely to continue bringing unusually wet weather, powerful winds, and storms to the region during the southern hemisphere's spring.
Casualties and Rescues
Officials reported that one person had been found dead in a flooded underpass in the city of San Bernardo, south of Santiago, although the cause of death has yet to be confirmed. In Talagante, police utilized helicopters to rescue people and pets living along the banks of the Mapocho River, who were caught off guard by the rapidly rising waters overnight.
