A large sandstorm was recorded this Thursday afternoon in the commune of Diego de Almagro, Atacama region. Records of the phenomenon were viralized on social networks.
The climatologist from the University of Santiago, Raul Corderosaid to Radio Bio Bio that the storm was produced by a “separated low”, that is, large masses of cold air at high altitude. “When that cold air mass meets warm air closer to the surface, it causes a very strong vertical flow that can trigger a storm,” he said. .
“When that storm starts to precipitate, if it does it repeatedly and strongly, it can kick up a lot of dust,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Delegation of the Antofagasta region, in coordination with the National Emergency Office (Onemi), maintained the yellow alert for the provinces of El Loa and the communes of Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta and Taltal, set earlier by the probable development of electrical storms in the mountain range, pre-mountain range and pampa sectors of the southern section of the region.
According to Onemi, 3,930 clients have been reported affected by a cut in the electricity supply service that corresponds to the entire Taltal district, due to the sandstorms registered in the Diego de Almagro district.
“Brigades from the CGE electric company are working on restoring the service,” they indicated.
Video via Twitter: @JCRamirez_
