In Santiago, Chile, heavy rains struck the southern and central regions on Thursday, resulting in one death and significant damage to homes.

Authorities declared a state of catastrophe in five regions.

The fatality occurred in Linares due to a fallen street lamp post amid the storm.

Chile's weather service initially issued a high-level alarm affecting about 14 million people across six regions but later lowered it as the storm moved towards Argentina.

The affected regions had previously suffered from a 15-year-long drought.

In Curanilahue, 600 kilometers south of Santiago, two rivers overflowed after receiving 350 millimeters of rain in hours, damaging around 2,000 homes.

President Gabriel Boric, currently in Sweden, warned about continuing rains, while Interior Minister Carolina Toha declared the state of catastrophe to expedite aid.

In total, 3,300 people have been affected.

Schools in Santiago were closed, and a 12-story apartment building in Vina del Mar risks collapse due to a sinkhole.

The events were exacerbated by an 'atmospheric river,' a weather phenomenon bringing massive amounts of moisture.