Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast has declared a state of emergency in areas affected by heavy rains that have killed at least 13 people and left seven others missing, authorities said Tuesday.

The rainstorm has battered central and southern Chile, causing widespread flooding, road closures, and damage to homes. President Kast announced the emergency measures on Monday.

Alicia Cebrian, director of Chile's SENAPRED national emergency service, told reporters: "We have 13 dead and seven missing." She added that 2,281 people have been displaced, 81 homes destroyed, 2,761 others severely damaged, and 87,000 remain without electricity.

Power outages were caused by washed-out roads, government officials said, adding that they are seeking sanctions against electricity distributors for the sustained blackouts. School classes have been suspended in several municipalities across four regions.

Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado said the rains are expected to ease, but risks remain due to "swollen riverbeds and ravines." Cebrian warned: "Waterways, streams, and riverbanks have been weakened by the rainfall over the past few days; there is still a risk of rising water levels in some of them."

Source: www.dw.com