As Chile prepares for an approaching winter storm system, the Association of Municipalities of Chile (Amuch) held a high-level coordination meeting with the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) to strengthen municipal emergency response measures.
The discussions focused on improving collaboration among municipalities, national agencies, and private service providers to better protect residents during severe weather events. A central topic was the performance of electric utilities during past emergencies.
For rural municipalities, electrical outages pose a dual threat, as potable water systems often rely on electric power. Paula Gárate, mayor of Melipilla, emphasized the heightened vulnerability of rural areas during storms. “Losing electricity also means losing access to potable water. Many rural water systems depend on electricity, and that remains our greatest concern,” Gárate noted.
Senapred Director Alicia Cebrián highlighted the essential role of municipal governments in both preparation and response phases. “Municipalities play a crucial role in coordination, information gathering, and implementing mitigation works to reduce the impact of winter threats on residents,” Cebrián stated. She underscored that emergency prevention and mitigation is a shared responsibility.
The coordination meeting comes as Chile’s central regions brace for a frontal system expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds. Authorities emphasized that ongoing preparation and inter-agency cooperation will be key to minimizing disruption and protecting vulnerable communities.
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