Flooding hit Santiago, Chile

Chile Floods 2017 Death Toll Update: Millions Without Drinking Water As Thunderstorms Continue To Beat Down On Santiago

A flood in central Chile has claimed the lives of three people, including a 12-year-old girl who was killed after a landslide caused the car she was traveling in to be swept away, according to a report by Reuters Sunday. The bodies of two others were recovered from a river close to the nation’s capital, Santiago.

The heavy rain, which has been battering the South American country since the weekend, has also led to reports of at least 19 missing people.

Officials said overflow from banks in mountain valleys near Santiago was to blame for the mass flooding and mudslides. The heavy rain, which has been impacting northern and central areas of Chile including Antofagasta, Coquimbo, Metropolitan, O’Higgins and Valparaiso was expected to continue well into 28 Feb, according to reports.

Near the San Jose de Maipo valley, emergency teams have been working to clear the road in efforts to provide lower grounds for people to find shelter. So far, flooding near Santiago has left a total of 373 people isolated, the National Office of Emergencies of Interior Ministry said in a statement. More than one million people in Santiago have been left without clean drinking water while several homes have been destroyed due to the flood.