2 dead, 4mln without water in Chile after heavy rains

By Maria Paz Salas

SANTIAGO, Chile

At least 2 people were reported dead Sunday after heavy rains pounded the country’s central region and left 4 million others without potable water.

The frontal system of bad weather has left 22 missing, 300 homeless and stranded at least 765 others, according to the National Emergency Office.

Schools, universities and businesses still without drinking water will remain closed Monday as authorities are trying to restore a sense of normalcy.

The downpours caused landslides that damaged the city water supply and forced the closure of the world´s biggest copper mine in El Teniente.

Television images showed neighborhoods in the Chilean capital that were covered by water after the Mapocho River overflowed Sunday morning.

The Pedro de Valdivia Station of the local subway was closed which contributed to traffic congestion in different districts.

At least 80,000 residents in Santiago and the provinces of Valparaíso and O´Higgins were left without electricity as local authorities lay blame on the constructions of a new highway after a problem with a tunnel forced water to spill into the capital.

The minister of Public Works said the situation was “perfectly predictable”, and that companies working on the project could have prevented it.

Mayor Claudio Orrego said authorities warned companies of the effects of potential heavy rains.