More than a dozen residents were airlifted from flooded neighbourhoods in central Chile on Friday as the Mapocho River burst its banks.

Air rescues launched

Helicopters from the Chilean Army began shuttling people to safety early in the morning, prioritising families trapped on rooftops and those in low‑lying apartments. The National Office of Emergency (ONEMI) said the operation would continue until all at‑risk households have been moved.

Local volunteers handed blankets and water to those waiting on makeshift shelters while the rotors thumped overhead.

helicopter airlifting residents from a flooded street in Santiago

Heavy rains trigger river overflow

Meteorologists recorded an unprecedented amount of rain over the past 48 hours, with some stations measuring more than 150 mm in a single day – roughly double the monthly average for October. The deluge swelled the Mapocho, which runs through Santiago’s centre, to levels not seen since the historic flood of 1982.

Experts from the University of Chile’s climate department warned that such extreme events are becoming more common as regional temperatures rise.

Authorities coordinate response

President Gabriel Boric convened an emergency cabinet meeting, directing the Ministry of Defence to deploy additional assets, including two Chinook helicopters stationed at Los Cerrillos. ONEMI’s spokesperson, Ana López, told reporters that more than 5,000 people had been relocated to temporary accommodation.

Police cordoned off the most affected streets, and the Ministry of Health set up medical tents to treat minor injuries and dehydration.

Broader implications

The Mapocho’s floodplain, densely packed with housing, has long been flagged by urban planners as a vulnerability. Rapid urban expansion has reduced natural drainage, amplifying the river’s impact during heavy storms.

The event underscores the growing challenge Chile faces in adapting its infrastructure to climate‑driven extremes, a concern echoed by the Inter‑American Development Bank in its recent regional risk assessment.

Authorities expect further rain over the weekend, prompting officials to keep evacuation centres on standby and to monitor downstream communities for potential landslides.