According to the official balance delivered on the night of Wednesday, July 22, by Interior Undersecretary Máximo Pavez and Director Alicia Cebrián at the facilities of the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred), the emergency triggered by the frontal system has left 13 people dead, 4 missing under presumed misfortune, and 3,532 registered victims across the affected regions.
Did You Know? Since the emergency event began on July 14, authorities have issued a total of 162 emergency alert messages through the SAE messaging system, with 71 sent to the Coquimbo region, 59 to Atacama, and 23 to Valparaíso.
State of Exception Expanded to Tierra Amarilla by President José Antonio Kast
President José Antonio Kast expanded the existing State of the Constitutional Exception—initially decreed in the province of Huasco within the Coquimbo region—to also cover the commune of Tierra Amarilla. Undersecretary Pavez confirmed that the leadership of this emergency measure is assigned to the National Defense Chief, who already manages operations in the Huasco province. Educational authorities also confirmed that classes remain suspended for the rest of the week across the Coquimbo region, the province of Huasco, and the commune of Tierra Amarilla.
Regarding connectivity, Pavez reported that all communes in the province of Huasco are fully connected. This includes emergency connectivity mechanisms linking Vallenar, Freirina, and Huasco to safeguard urban supply chains. Similarly, all communes in the Coquimbo region reached operational connectivity as of Wednesday, marking a crucial step forward for historically isolated localities like Paihuano, Andacollo, and Vicuña.
Drinking Water Shortages and Delivery Operations in Northern Regions
Despite restored road access, severe drinking water shortages persist in Vallenar and Huasco. Pavez stated that water remains cut off in those two cities, where authorities have deployed 14 alternative supply tanks to each municipality alongside increased water flows to fill them. In the Coquimbo region, Andacollo lacks service entirely as work crews evaluate damages; Pavez explained that accessing damaged infrastructure has proved difficult, though eight alternative tanks are in place.
For the La Serena-Coquimbo conurbación, officials plan to expand alternative delivery points to 200 locations. While 36 water tank trucks operated on Wednesday, that fleet is scheduled to scale up to 50 trucks. Meanwhile, in Ovalle, repairs tied to the decreasing flow of the Limarí River will allow 50% of the city to receive non-potable water with sanitary utility starting Thursday, with full coverage expected by Friday.
Power Outages, Shelter Populations, and Housing Damage Metrics
Electrical service interruptions continue to affect thousands of customers across regions. According to official figures, Valparaíso registers 9,549 people without power, including roughly 2,000 customers who have endured over 72 hours without electricity, down from 4,300 earlier in the day. In Coquimbo, 21,450 clients remain without light, though those surpassing the 72-hour mark dropped from 13,500 in the morning to 7,174 by the end of the day. Coquimbo also recorded 84 operational flights supporting the emergency response.
Senapred Director Alicia Cebrián reported that 1,553 people remain sheltered—primarily in Coquimbo, which houses 644 evacuees—while 61,557 individuals are counted as isolated, mainly across Atacama and Coquimbo. Cebrián noted that these numbers fluctuate constantly as municipal teams, public works personnel, and road crews reach isolated sectors. Housing damage evaluations tally 150 destroyed homes, 3,750 dwellings with major damage, 22,030 with minor damage, and 3,121 under local evaluation pending final verification through FIBE housing forms.
Humanitarian Aid Distribution and Incoming Weather Forecasts
Senapred has managed more than 183 tons of humanitarian aid dispatched via FACh flights and coordinated air bridges alongside the Chilean Air Federation (FEDACH). The shipments comprise food boxes, tools, face masks, water, and hygiene kits requested by local municipalities. Distribution continues via both air and ground routes as road connectivity improves.
Looking ahead, the Meteorological Directorate of Chile (DMC) reported that the current frontal system has moved entirely into Argentine territory. High-pressure systems are moving in, bringing stable, dry weather and rising temperatures to Atacama and Coquimbo. However, a separate weather system may bring seasonal rains and moderate to intense winds starting Thursday, July 23, to the central and southern zones of the country, though it is expected to leave Atacama and Coquimbo unaffected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current casualty count from the severe weather event?
Senapred reported 13 fatalities and 4 missing persons under presumed misfortune as registered by Carabineros across the affected zone.
Which areas are affected by school suspensions?
Authorities confirmed the suspension of classes for the remainder of the week across the Coquimbo region, the province of Huasco, and the commune of Tierra Amarilla.
How is humanitarian aid being delivered to isolated areas?
Senapred has managed over 183 tons of supplies, delivering them via FACh flights and air bridges established in coordination with the Chilean Air Federation.
How will the impending weather system on July 23 impact the recovery efforts in northern regions like Atacama and Coquimbo?
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