The Atacama region, home to the world's driest desert, and the neighboring city of Antofagasta were deluged by heavy rains on March 24 that swept away thousands of homes, leaving thick layers of muck and tens of thousands of devastated residents in their wake.
The National Emergency Office said in its latest update last night that more than 2,500 people remained in emergency shelters, with more than 6,000 homes badly damaged and more than 2,000 completely destroyed.
Health officials have warned there is a high risk of outbreaks of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases because of the mud and lack of drinking water.