Thousands of people were hastily evacuated from their homes in Chile yesterday Sunday after the Maule River overflowed due to heavy rains in the central and southern sectors of the country, while the death toll remains unchanged at two dead so far, according to the interior minister.

The latest official tally, released last night by Home Affairs Minister Carolina Toa, is two dead and another six missing. It also mentions 9,814 stranded, 4,077 flood victims and 2,054 in temporary shelters.

The water level in the Maule River doubled hours before the tally was released and is being closely monitored by the authorities. President Gabriel Boric’s government ordered the precautionary evacuation of 1,800 residents of areas near its banks in the town of Constitution, about 400 kilometers south of the capital Santiago (center).

The rains hitting the south are the worst on record, according to authorities, who say they have caused rivers such as the Mapocho and Maipo, which run through Santiago, to overflow and cause flooding in southern communities.

Aerial footage broadcast by Chilean television networks shows widespread flooding in Cotauco and Licadén, cities south of Santiago.

The heavy rains began on Thursday and hit mainly mountainous areas, where snowfalls usually occur, causing the river water level to rise.