Chile battling extremes of heavy rain and drought

World Today

Chile is suffering flooding in the north and forest fires in the south. More than 6,000 hectares have been consumed by the fires, which may spread and intensify in the face of high winds and temperatures in excess of 30 degrees. CCTV’s John Metherell filed this report.

  • In Chile’s northern Atacama region, people have been moved into shelters and 80,000 homes are without electricity.
  • Chile’s Meteorological Office says the bad weather will continue, but could not predict how long rain will last.
  • Seasonal forest fires have affected about 60,000 hectares in each of the past five years.