Chile Declares Preventive Emergency Across Seven Regions Through October 23

Chile declared a preventive emergency from October 18 through October 23, inclusive, under a decree signed on October 17 by Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado Andrade. It covers Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Metropolitana de Santiago, O’Higgins, Maule, Ñuble and Biobío. The decree cites forecast weather threats, including flooding, overflowing waterways and landslides, with possible effects on homes, critical infrastructure and essential services. It strengthens monitoring, coordination and readiness to deploy personnel and resources before the most intense conditions arrive. Regional education authorities must evaluate school suspensions and make-up arrangements according to local conditions; the decree does not automatically close schools.