Police airlift residents after Mapocho river floods
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.
