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Residents airlifted in central Chile following severe floods driven by El Niño rains
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Police in central Chile have airlifted trapped residents to safety after torrential rains caused the Mapocho river to burst its banks, flooding Talagante and other areas. Santiago recorded its rainiest October in 76 years, with meteorologists attributing the extreme weather to a strong El Niño phenomenon expected to bring further wet conditions to the region.
Wichtige Punkte
- Police used helicopters to rescue residents and pets trapped by fast-rising floodwaters in Talagante, south-west of Santiago.
- The Mapocho river burst its banks following torrential downpours that turned dirt roads into rivers.
- Santiago recorded 74mm of rainfall in the first seven days of October, making it the area's wettest October in 76 years.
- Officials reported one person was found dead in a flooded underpass in San Bernardo, though the cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
- Meteorologists warn that an unusually strong El Niño phenomenon will continue to bring wet weather, storms, and powerful winds to the region.