Chile: Snow arrives at the Copiapó Valley

13/07/2015

A product of the frontal system that affects much of Chile, after passing through the regions between Valparaíso and Bio Bio, it is now concentrated in the regions of Atacama, Coquimbo and south of Antofagasta in northern Chile.

This morning the Chilean Meteorological Directorate extended the meteorological alarm by strong to intense rainfall throughout the Atacama Region, where in the Valley they could register from 15 to 20 millimeters and in pre-cordillera from 20 to 30 millimeters, rainfall that would extend until this afternoon.

Lina Arrieta, president of the Association of Agricultural Pioneers and Exporters of the Copiapó Valley (APECO) explained that along with the rainfall, partners of the entity reported that snow began to fall in the interior of the Valley at the height of San Antonio. above.

"That has caused some problems with parronales, especially in the sector of Rodeo, a little above the Lautaro reservoir"He said.

"The parrones were enmallados, then the weight of the snow threw some parrones"He explained.

In a preliminary way, Arrieta commented that a loss near 180 hectares has been reported, where the parrones would be on the ground.

"That's what we have as information", he pointed.

As a precaution, the police authority cut the entry to the town of Los Loros to non-locals. For his part, Arrieta indicated that APECO partners are going up to assess the damages.

"This information was reported to the Mayor and the Seremi de Agricultura. The Intendant told me that the Seremi will go up to the Valley to make an evaluation to report to the Minister of Agriculture in the afternoon”. Arrieta explained that the vines in the area are almost all pruned and with sprouting plans.

"Surely some, perhaps of some sectors, already sprouting and others with the yolk about to emerge. So I think the snow just hurts in some way", He said

Source: Portal Fruticola.com