Catastrophic floods in Chile's Atacama region leave more than two dozen dead
Digital Reporter
Tuesday, April 7, 2015, 9:37 AM - Chile's Atacama desert is the driest in the world, but when it does rain, the results are catastrophic.
Take a look at the video above, shot in the region in late March as the waters of the swollen Copiapó river were swamping that town.
The worst rains in 80 years in the country's north triggered major flooding and mudslides, devastating communities and washing out road access.
vi @danillanes15: así quedó el centro de CHañaral pic.twitter.com/XnKpJoVTHs
— Rodrigo Orellana (@rorrocp) March 25, 2015
The desert landscape is devoid of major vegetation, channeling floodwaters directly into rivers and valleys.
The worst of the flooding was in late march, but rescuers are still finding victims. As of the weekend, some 25 people have been confirmed dead, and more than 100 are still missing, according to the BBC's Chilean service.
"@TorresCanivilo: Calle principal de Tierra Amarilla pic.twitter.com/K5Yz8VBJk6"
— Delfin Valenzuela (@Delfinpez23) March 25, 2015
Some 30,000 people have been affected by the floods, with around 2,700 left homeless.
A state of emergency has been declared in the region by the country's president, Michelle Bachelet.
SOURCE: BBC Chile
BONUS VIDEO: Watch Chile's Villarica volcano erupt in March:
