Heavy rainfall causes flooding in Chile's Santiago, prompting red alert

SANTIAGO, CHILE - OCT. 20: Heavy rainfall caused flooding in parts of Chile's capital Santiago on Tuesday (Oct. 20), prompting authorities to declare a red alert for the Metropolitan Region.

Aerial footage from Talagante, on the outskirts of Santiago, showed homes affected by the overflowing Mapocho River following heavy rainfall.

Santiago has recorded its wettest October in more than a century, with unusually heavy rainfall linked to the El Niño climate phenomenon.

El Niño raises sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, affecting wind and precipitation patterns worldwide.

The Chilean government suspended school classes on Tuesday due to risks associated with the severe weather.