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During the course of Friday afternoon, the National Director of the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED), Álvaro Hormazábal, led a technical panel in response to the Meteorological Alert issued by the Chilean Meteorological Directorate (DMC). This alert predicts an Extreme High Temperature event that will extend through several areas of the regions of Valparaíso, Metropolitana, O’Higgins and Maule.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Regional Presidential Delegations along with SENAPRED, DMC, CONAF and the Ministry of Health. At the center of the debate, DMC meteorologist Juan Guillermo Pizarro explained that the absence of cloudiness on the coast has caused a sustained increase in temperature in the valleys. The cyclonic circulation on the surface is generating a dry and warm atmosphere over the central area of the country.
Projections indicate that during this weekend temperatures are expected to exceed 34 degrees in the central zone, accompanied by winds that will reach speeds of over 40 kilometers per hour starting at 4:00 p.m. This phenomenon will be related to the thermal differences close to the maximum recorded maximum temperatures.
Juan Cortés, from CONAF, warned about the risk that this extreme temperature event represents for areas classified as the Red Button, which represent territories with high risk for the spread of forest fires. This risk is due to the combination of three factors: the high dryness of the flora, low humidity and high temperatures. The Red Button covers from the Metropolitan Region to the Biobío Region.
The National Director of SENAPRED reiterated the coordination of the system through the Regional Directorates of SENAPRED, which have already declared alerts to reinforce monitoring and response actions in the areas under the meteorological alert.
The Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of self-care for the population, especially vulnerable groups such as boys and girls under 10 years of age and older adults. The need for adequate hydration and protection against radiation was highlighted.
In addition, it was reported on the signing of the Extreme Heat Annex, a document generated in collaboration between SENAPRED, MINSAL and DMC, with the contribution of different ministries. This annex will be active from November to March and also during exceptional extreme heat events between April and October, which directly impact the well-being of the population.
This legal instrument allows establishing different levels of Alert (Early Preventive, Yellow and Red) in heat situations, according to the risk to the health of citizens. The National Director of SENAPRED highlighted that the alerts indicated in the National Emergency Plan will be declared, which will allow the necessary resources to be deployed to protect the population at risk.
The Deputy Director(s) of Disaster Risk Reduction of SENAPRED, Helia Vargas, explained that this instrument will be essential to safeguard citizens in situations of extreme risk due to heat. The entry into force of this annex is a crucial measure to anticipate and respond effectively to adverse climate events, prioritizing the protection of the population at all times.
