SANTIAGO, Chile, June 29 (UPI) -- Chile has declared a state of emergency for its southern regions following thwe weekend's heavy rains that killed at least five people.
Rains reportedly caused widespread flooding and some mudslides.
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Thousands of homes were damaged by the downpours, prompting President Ricardo Lagos to visit the scene of the devastation in Concepcion, one of the worst-hit areas, La Tercera newspaper reported Wednesday.
Lagos met with families who lost relatives during the rains, offered his condolences and promised the government would take "extraordinary measures" to help with the clean up and salvage effort.
