Classes are suspended for this Friday in Iquique, Alto Hospicio and Huara coast: the measure adds to the current recess in the Atacama Region

The Chilean Ministry of Education announced on Thursday the suspension of classes for Friday in Iquique, Alto Hospicio, and the coastal area of Huara, including Caleta San Marcos, Chanavayita, and Pisagua. The decision was made as a preventive measure due to adverse weather conditions recorded in recent hours, which have caused flooding risks, power outages, and connectivity issues in certain areas of the province and coastal zones. The suspension applies to public schools, subsidized private institutions, and private educational establishments offering early childhood, primary, and secondary education in the affected regions. The move follows similar measures already in place in the Atacama Region, where school closures have been in effect since the beginning of the week due to heavy rains and electrical storms that led to increased river flows, overflows, and flood threats. Additionally, the town of Taltal in the Antofagasta Region has also suspended classes amid the ongoing weather disruptions. Leonardo Gálvez, the regional education secretary for Tarapacá, clarified in a social media post that the suspension covers the entire Iquique province and the coastal areas of the region. He emphasized that the Tamarugal province continues operating normally with no incidents prompting its inclusion in the closure order. Gálvez noted that some schools would require additional cleaning and disinfection efforts due to the unexpected situation. He urged residents to comply with the suspension for Friday, August 14, and to rely solely on official channels for updates. The weather anomalies began earlier this week, with Iquique experiencing an unusual winter-like night on Tuesday and Wednesday. Temperatures soared above 30°C during the evening, accompanied by strong winds, rain, and thunderstorms. These conditions resulted in roof damage and widespread power cuts affecting more than 10,000 customers. According to reports from the Chilean Electricity and Fuels Superintendence (SEC), by midnight on Wednesday, 10,179 households in Iquique were without electricity, with an additional 1,226 in Alto Hospicio and 246 in Huara affected. Meteorological data from the Chilean Meteorological Service (DMC) indicated that the airport station in Diego Aracena recorded a maximum temperature of 32.2°C around 6 p.m. on Tuesday. This heat persisted into the evening, with temperatures remaining between 30 and 31°C until nearly midnight, accompanied by low humidity levels and wind speeds reaching up to 59 km/h from the east. Strong winds also caused dust and sand to become airborne, impacting several sectors of the area. By early morning on Wednesday, temperatures had begun to drop, settling around 23°C according to DMC records. In response to these severe weather conditions, the Ministry of Education decided to close schools in Iquique, Alto Hospicio, and Pisagua for Wednesday, August 12. The decision followed reports of damaged infrastructure and potential hazards posed by the extreme weather. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and provide regular updates through official communication channels. Residents in the affected areas have been advised to stay informed via official sources and take necessary precautions against further weather-related disruptions. Power restoration efforts are underway, and local officials are working to assess the extent of damage to infrastructure and ensure the safety of students and staff once classes resume.