An Unprecedented Emergency in Northern Chile

Since July 15, 2026, Chile has been suffering the consequences of a historic storm driven by the climate phenomenon known as El Niño Godzilla. According to local media and international agencies, the regions of Atacama and Coquimbo, in the north of the country, are the hardest hit by intense rainfall, landslides, and winds reaching 160 km/h.

The Chilean government, led by President José Antonio Kast, declared a state of catastrophe on July 21, 2026 for the Coquimbo region and the Huasco province (Atacama). This constitutional measure aims to facilitate the allocation of resources and the deployment of state agencies to manage the emergency.

El Niño and Climate Change: Context of the Phenomenon

Devastating Toll as of July 22, 2026

According to the latest report from the National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (Senapred), the storm's impact is alarming. Although figures may vary, agencies Infobae and TN detail the following impacts:

Other infrastructure and service data published by La Nación and the newspaper El Día indicate:

• 100 homes destroyed and more than 3,500 with severe damage.
• 87,000 people without electricity, mainly in Coquimbo and Valparaíso.
• 176,000 people without drinking water in the Coquimbo region.
• Record rainfall of 200 mm in one hour recorded at Cerro Tololo.

Government Response and International Aid

Chilean authorities have deployed the army to assist isolated populations and restore basic services. As of July 22, 2026, the shipment of 150 tons of humanitarian aid to the affected regions was confirmed. Senapred director Alicia Cebrián stated that distribution to the various municipalities is underway.

Analyst Andrés Repetto reflected on the magnitude of the disaster, noting that 'when something is of this magnitude, not even the richest country can withstand it,' emphasizing that climate change has become the 'new normal' globally.