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Chile floods: Millions without water in capital Santiago | Chile floods: Millions without water in capital Santiago |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Rainstorms and landslides in Chile have contaminated a major river forcing the authorities to cut off drinking water to at least four million people in the capital, Santiago. | Rainstorms and landslides in Chile have contaminated a major river forcing the authorities to cut off drinking water to at least four million people in the capital, Santiago. |
Officials said the water supply from the Maipo river would be cut to most of the city until the water flowed clear. | Officials said the water supply from the Maipo river would be cut to most of the city until the water flowed clear. |
At least three people have been killed and 19 are missing as rivers overflowed and bridges were washed away. | At least three people have been killed and 19 are missing as rivers overflowed and bridges were washed away. |
Almost 400 people have been cut off in the Cajon del Maipo mountainous area. | Almost 400 people have been cut off in the Cajon del Maipo mountainous area. |
"Emergency teams are working on the ground to connect with isolated persons and re-establish the water supply wherever possible," Chilean President Michelle Bachelet wrote on Twitter [in Spanish]. | "Emergency teams are working on the ground to connect with isolated persons and re-establish the water supply wherever possible," Chilean President Michelle Bachelet wrote on Twitter [in Spanish]. |
Aguas Andinas, which provides the capital with drinking water, said continuing rain was making repairs difficult. The company said it did not know yet when the water supply could be restored. | Aguas Andinas, which provides the capital with drinking water, said continuing rain was making repairs difficult. The company said it did not know yet when the water supply could be restored. |
Regional governor Claudio Orrego said weather conditions in the mountains near Santiago remained "very bad". | Regional governor Claudio Orrego said weather conditions in the mountains near Santiago remained "very bad". |
"We had many landslides in a very short space of time," he said. | "We had many landslides in a very short space of time," he said. |
A 12-year-old girl was killed when the car she was travelling in with her family was swept away by a landslide in the O'Higgins region, south of Santiago. | A 12-year-old girl was killed when the car she was travelling in with her family was swept away by a landslide in the O'Higgins region, south of Santiago. |
Two more people died in Cajon del Maipo. | Two more people died in Cajon del Maipo. |
Mr Orrego said the heavy rains which had fallen since Saturday were "absolutely anomalous" for the summer period. | Mr Orrego said the heavy rains which had fallen since Saturday were "absolutely anomalous" for the summer period. |
Stocking up | Stocking up |
More than 60% of households in Santiago woke up on Sunday to find their taps running dry. | More than 60% of households in Santiago woke up on Sunday to find their taps running dry. |
Many queued to fill buckets and pans with water provided by the authorities. | Many queued to fill buckets and pans with water provided by the authorities. |
Some shops ran out of bottled water and a number of supermarkets reported scuffles between people eager to stock up. | Some shops ran out of bottled water and a number of supermarkets reported scuffles between people eager to stock up. |
Restaurants and businesses in the affected areas were ordered to stay closed and schools were also told to delay the start of the school year, scheduled for Monday. | Restaurants and businesses in the affected areas were ordered to stay closed and schools were also told to delay the start of the school year, scheduled for Monday. |
The flooding follows months of drought and a series of deadly wildfires which burned for weeks. | The flooding follows months of drought and a series of deadly wildfires which burned for weeks. |
Are you affected by the water cuts? How are you dealing with the situation? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. | Are you affected by the water cuts? How are you dealing with the situation? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |