In short
- Santiago recorded 74mm of rainfall in the first seven days of October 2026, the rainiest October for the area in 76 years, according to meteorologists.
- The Mapocho river burst its banks after torrential rains and flooded large parts of Talagante, 35km (22 miles) south-west of Santiago.
- Police in Talagante used helicopters to rescue people and pets living on the banks of the Mapocho who were surprised by fast-rising water overnight.
- Officials said one person was found dead in a flooded underpass in San Bernardo, south of Santiago, and the cause of death has not been confirmed.
- Meteorologists warned that the unusually strong El Niño will likely keep bringing wet weather, powerful winds and storms during the southern hemisphere’s spring.
Police in central Chile have airlifted residents and their pets to safety after the Mapocho river burst its banks and flooded the city of Talagante, 35km (22 miles) south-west of Santiago. Officials said one person had been found dead in a flooded underpass in San Bernardo, south of the capital, and the cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
How much rain has Santiago received this October?
Santiago recorded 74mm of rainfall in the first seven days of October 2026, meteorologists said, making it the rainiest October for the area in 76 years. The torrential rains caused the Mapocho river to burst its banks and flood large parts of Talagante.
How were residents rescued in Talagante?
In Talagante, police used helicopters to rescue people and pets living on the banks of the Mapocho who had been surprised by the fast-rising waters overnight. Dirt roads in the riverside community turned into rivers. Unlike during July’s storms, the area had not been evacuated ahead of the heavy downpours.
Where is Talagante?
Talagante is a city in central Chile on the banks of the Mapocho river, 35km (22 miles) south-west of Santiago, the country’s capital. Police helicopters reached the community living on the riverbanks after the water rose overnight.
What do we know about the person found dead?
Officials said one person had been found dead in a flooded underpass in San Bernardo, south of Santiago. They have yet to confirm the cause of death.
What is El Niño expected to bring to Chile?
Meteorologists have warned that this year’s unusually strong El Niño climate phenomenon will likely continue to bring unusually wet weather, powerful winds and storms to the region during the southern hemisphere’s spring. Climate experts have warned that the 2026-2027 El Niño is likely to cause major shifts in weather patterns around the world, intensifying droughts in some areas and floods in others. In central Chile, it is expected to trigger above-average rainfall.
Elsewhere in Latin America, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit southern Panama and shook the capital, and buildings were damaged in south-central Panama.
Frequently asked questions
Where did the Mapocho river flood in Chile?
The Mapocho river burst its banks after torrential rains and flooded large parts of Talagante, a city 35km (22 miles) south-west of Santiago. Police used helicopters to rescue residents and pets trapped in the riverside community.
How much rain has Santiago had in October 2026?
Santiago recorded 74mm of rainfall in the first seven days of October 2026. Meteorologists say that makes it the rainiest October in the area in 76 years.
Is El Niño behind the heavy rain in Chile?
Meteorologists have warned that this year’s unusually strong El Niño will likely continue to bring unusually wet weather, powerful winds and storms during the southern hemisphere’s spring. Central Chile is expected to receive above-average rainfall.
How many people died in the Chile floods?
Officials said one person was found dead in a flooded underpass in San Bernardo, south of Santiago. The cause of death has not been confirmed.
With reporting from BBC News.
Stock image, not from the events described. City Skyline — Joe deSousa / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)
