Severe blizzard in Chile

The Chilean government has announced a "white earthquake" disaster in eight cities after a major blizzard occurred, causing traffic congestion and leaving thousands of people isolated.

Snow covered the house, thousands of people were isolated. Photo: CNN.

' Never snowed so much. This is an unusual weather phenomenon. It really worries us that meteorologists have confirmed that new snowstorms are coming, "said the mayor of Curacautin, Jorge Saquel, on CNN. Wednesday until now.

Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter called it a " white earthquake " and asked the military and public affairs officials to help people in some of the worst hit areas. of Araucania, central Chile.

" Strong storms and the possibility of landing in the next few days, we may suffer a very bad weather, more snowfall makes the situation worse. But when this happens , the government will always be with the people ', Hinzpeter stressed.

Authorities said they dispatched many trucks to carry supplies to areas heavily affected by the blizzard, along with military helicopters approaching people in remote areas.

According to a report by CNN journalist in Chile, in the remote Lonquimay town, about 730 km south of Santiago, the weather below 0 degrees has frozen many water pipes, fuel in the car is also frozen and have More than 6,500 people are isolated.

" A lot of places, snow is more than 2 meters thick and we cannot contact many of them, " said Mayor Guillermo Vasquez of Lonquimay.

" The authorities have decided to lift two snow bulldozers to clean the roads. We hope machines and food are provided as soon as possible, " Guillermo Vasquez added.