Santiago: A torrent of water, mud and rocks rushed through eastern Santiago on Thursday afternoon after heavy rain, triggering flash floods that swept away cars and public buses and inundated homes, clinics and schools.
The flooding struck the Las Condes district in the Andean foothills as a storm front moved across the Santiago Metropolitan Region. Vehicles were left stranded or submerged in mud, while streets were covered with debris and rocks.
Footage from the scene showed police officers walking among stranded vehicles and firefighters checking cars swept away by the flood. Machinery was also deployed to clear debris from the streets.
Chile’s disaster agency, Senapred, said heavy rain had caused the flooding, with water filling creeks and mountain ravines known as 'quebradas'. These ravines remain dry for much of the year but can fill rapidly during heavy downpours.
Residents described how the flood suddenly surged through the district, sending an overflowing river through city streets and leaving debris in its wake.
Juan Carlos Hess, who lives a block uphill from the flooded street, said he heard an unusually loud noise and went outside to find its source. He then saw that the river had overflowed.
“The river was coming down this whole street,” he said.
University student Rene Valenzuela said he had been studying in the library when the heavy rain began.
Firefighters continued to search flooded streets and inspect damaged vehicles as debris was cleared. There has been no official confirmation of deaths or injuries, and no final assessment of the damage has been released.