In brief
A sudden surge of 74 mm of rainfall in early October swollen the Mapocho river, flooding the Chilean town of Talagante and trapping residents in their homes. Police helicopters seized the moment, airlifting dozens of people and their pets to safety. The disaster, part of a broader El Niño‑driven wet season, has prompted urgent calls for faster disaster response tools. One fatality was reported in a nearby underpass, with investigators still determining the cause. The swift rescue stands in stark contrast to July’s unprepared storms and highlights the growing need for rapid relief amid shifting climate patterns.
In a dramatic response, police helicopters carried dozens of residents to safety as the Mapocho river burst its banks overnight in Talagante, a community 35 km southwest of Santiago. The sudden rise left many families trapped in their homes, taking refuge on rooftops and near flooded streets.
Authorities say the region received 74 mm of rain in the first 7 days of October, making it the wettest October in 76 years. Meteorologists warn that the ongoing El Niño will likely keep the area drenched, bringing wind, storms and more flooding during the southern hemisphere spring.
The rescue operation also included pets, and aerial photographs show homes submerging under a mile of water. While one person was found dead in a flooded underpass in San Bernardo, officials are still investigating the cause.
The swift helicopter response, in contrast to last month’s July storms which saw no pre‑evacuation, underscores the growing need for rapid disaster relief tools amid a changing climate.
